Major depressive disorder is the term doctors use to officially describe one of America’s most common mental health issues: major depression. Research indicates that women may have substantially higher chances of developing this condition than men. That’s true, in part, because women have gender-specific risks for a condition called postpartum depression, which sometimes meets the criteria for a major depression diagnosis. Women tend to seek help for their depressive symptoms more often than men. In some cases, treatment may take place in a women’s depression treatment center.What Is Major Depressive Disorder? Major depressive disorder gets its name because it is the most severe type of depressive illness. Everyone who meets the criteria for a diagnosis of this disorder experiences at least five out of nine specific symptoms for two weeks or longer. These symptoms are:A predominantly “down” or depressed moodSeriously declining interest in normally enjoyable activitiesUnexplained changes in your weightUnusual sleeplessness or sleepinessPhysical fatigueAimless, uncontrolled body movementsThe presence of damaging emotions such as worthlessness, helplessness or guiltConcentration problems and other thinking difficulties, andSuicidal thinking, planning and/or action, or a more general preoccupation with death Some people only experience one bout of major depression, or bouts that only recur every once in a while. However, other people experience more frequently recurring symptoms.Frequency in Women Research indicates that women have roughly a 100% higher chance of experiencing major depression than men, regardless of their financial means or racial/ethnic background. However, no one really knows for sure if this figure is entirely accurate. That’s true largely because women affected by depression have substantially greater odds of seeking help, whether in a women’s depression treatment center or some other setting. Gender differences in this area may help mask the presence of diagnosable major depression in a significant percentage of affected men.Postpartum Major Depression However, women do have unique depression risks associated with the postpartum period following childbirth. In some cases, postpartum symptoms are present, but don’t reach the severity required for a major depression diagnosis. In other cases, these symptoms do meet the criteria for the illness. A 2010 study in the journal American Family Physician indicates that the overall major depression rates in postpartum women (5% to 7%) are actually not very different from the rates found in women in general. However, the same study found that certain postpartum women have much higher risks for the condition. You fall into this elevated risk group if you:Have experienced postpartum major depression in the pastHave had previous bouts of major depression outside of the postpartum periodHave a postpartum major depression family historyExperience highly stressful or traumatic events while pregnant, orLack an adequate support system during postpartum recovery You may also have increased risks for developing postpartum major depression if you give birth to twins, triplets, etc., or if you develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. The official term for postpartum major depression is major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Women with this condition tend to make up a substantial portion of the patients in the typical women’s depression treatment center. Sources: National Institute of Mental Health: Depression Mayo Clinic: Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) American Family Physician: Postpartum Major Depression Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Depression Statistics Pearson Clinical: Major Depressive Disorder – DSM-5 Diagnostic CriteriaCategory: Mental Health - WomenBy Promises AustinMarch 16, 2017Post navigationPreviousPrevious post:Long-Term Side Effects of PropoxypheneNextNext post:Mephedrone Epidemic in IndiaRelated postsSocial Media and DepressionJuly 12, 2020Dealing with Anxiety During A PandemicJune 24, 2020Tips for Coping with Isolation During CoronavirusJune 16, 2020Women and AlcoholismApril 29, 2020Specific Phobias in WomenJanuary 16, 2020Narcissistic Personality Disorder in WomenJanuary 14, 2020