Feb. 11, 2013 | Pregnancy can be a very exciting time for a woman. It can also be overwhelming due to the many changes they go through, from their eating habits and their weight to their body shape, not to mention the changes that occur in the hormones that control a woman’s energy level and mood. Between 60 and 80 percent of mothers experience some form of sadness after giving birth, with one in 10 experiencing serious post-partum depression. Zachary Stowe, medical director of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Women’s Mental Health Program, will be discussing all of these problems and more at a luncheon to be held this Wednesday at UAMS. Part of the Psychiatric Research Institute’s “Beautiful Minds” series, Dr. Stowe’s presentation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UAMS Medical Center Lobby Gallery. Tickets for the luncheon are $30 and include a boxed lunch and parking. For more information about this event, call (501) 526-8166.

Feb. 11, 2013 | Although overall, men and women experience mental illness at similar rates, some mental disorders occur more frequently in women than men. For example, women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from major depression, which is associated with problems such as lost productivity, higher morbidity from medical illness and increased risk of suicide. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women are three times more likely than men to engage in non-fatal suicidal behavior, such as taking an excessive dose of sleeping pills, but less likely to use a lethal method, like a firearm, and die by suicide. The rates of anxiety disorders are two to three times higher in women than men while women represent 90 percent of all cases of eating disorders, which carry the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. In contrast, men are more likely than women to suffer from impulse control disorders and from substance use disorders.

Feb. 11, 2013 | For a woman, menopause and midlife bring dramatic changes to her body and feelings. Changing hormone levels can cause mood swings. Aging parents, children leaving home, or the serious illness of someone they love often add stress during this time. A woman’s risk of depression may increase during the transition to menopause, a stage called perimenopause, when hormone levels may fluctuate erratically. Her depression risk may also rise during early menopause or after menopause since both are times when estrogen levels are significantly reduced. Most women who experience uncomfortable menopausal symptoms don’t develop depression. But for women whose sleep is disrupted for long periods of time or who have a history of depression, this is a vulnerable time. Also, hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries can lead to an abrupt onset of menopause with severe symptoms, including mood changes and sometimes depression.

Feb. 11, 2013 | Women are nearly twice as likely as men to have depression. However, the higher rate of depression in women isn’t due to biology alone. Life situations and cultural stressors play a role, too. For one thing, women are much more likely to live in poverty than men. Poverty and limited earning potential bring with them many concerns, including uncertainty about the future and less access to community and health care resources. There’s the issue of abuse, with women who were physically or sexually abused more likely to experience depression at some point in their lives than those who weren’t abused. Many women find themselves dealing with the challenges that can accompany single parenthood, such as working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Also, women may be caregivers sandwiched between generations, caring for their children while also caring for older family members. These kinds of stressors can make them more vulnerable to depression.

Feb. 11, 2013 | For many women, depression may seem overwhelming, but there are a number of effective methods of treatment, including antidepressants and psychotherapy. Anyone taking antidepressants should be monitored closely, especially when they first start taking them. For most people, though, the risks of untreated depression far outweigh those of antidepressant medications when they are used under a doctor’s careful supervision. Therapy helps by teaching new ways of thinking and behaving, and changing habits that may be contributing to the depression. Therapy can also help women understand and work through difficult relationships that may be causing their depression or making it worse. The first step is visiting with a doctor or mental health professional to rule out other conditions that may have the same symptoms as depression. Remember, depression is both common and treatable. Anyone who thinks they are depressed should not hesitate to seek help.