Page 7 - Womens Center Brochure

WHO IS AT RISK FOR DEPRESSION?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health risk factors of depression include:
Personal or family history of depression. Major life changes, trauma or stress. Certain physical illnesses or medications. (2)
Harvard Medical school published an article called “What Causes Depression? Onset of depression more complex than
a brain chemical imbalance” in June of 2009 and then updated it in April of 2017.
The article details how the brain functions and how complex it is to keep all of the systems processing all of the chemicals and hormones correctly to stabilize
our moods. If one tiny portion of the process is disrupted or doesn’t function correctly it puts the person at high risk for depression. (3)
Go read the article. It is fascinating.
Why are women specifically at risk?
The Mayo Clinic addressed why women are twice as likely to suffer from depression over men. They list the following as risk factors: puberty, premenstrual problems, pregnancy, postpartum depression, perimenopause and menopause, and life circumstances and culture. (4) Each of these items directly affects women!