Ajay Pal Singh
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Written By: Ajay Pal Singh | Updated : January 31, 2019 7:37 PM IST
Risk of developing depression is double in women after a stroke as compared to men. ©Shutterstock
After a stroke, it is normal to feel sad or worried but if these feelings stay for over 2 weeks then it maybe a sign of depression. According to a recent study published in the European Journal of Neurology, women are twice more at risk of suffering from depression following a stroke as compared to men. The study observed the progress of symptoms among over 2,300 people for more than five years after stroke and noted that 20 per cent of women suffered severe depression as against 10 per cent men. The findings of the study also noted that varying patterns of symptom progression and long-term increased depression symptoms are associated with higher mortality rates. Also, initially, moderate symptoms in men worsen with time.
The lead author of the study. Dr Salma Ayis from the School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences at King's College London, affirmed that the reason why depression is more common among women is difficult to explain. However, it may be because women are more sensitive to challenges in maintaining their sense of self and self-worth from their social relationships. Moreover, women are found to be more lonely and devoid of support than men. All these could lead to depression.
From pregnancy to workload, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the increased rate of depression among women. Also, if you are a parent and trying to juggle between work and raising a kid, it can surge your stress levels which further leads to depression. Apart from a stroke, here are a few other factors that can cause depression in women.
Social factors:
Marital or relationship problems, balancing work-life issues, financial problems and stressful life events such as losing a loved one can trigger depression in women. Additionally, the National Institute of Mental Health observes that the use of certain medicines, history of mood disorders and death of a parent before the age of 10 can also boost the risk factors of depression in women.
Biological factors:
If someone from your family is suffering from depression then you are more susceptible to develop depression. Also, hormonal factors such as issues with fertility, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause and menstrual cycle boost your risk of developing depression. These factors can be tackled using medicine. However, make sure you consult your doctor before opting for any medicinal approach.
Psychological factors:
Women are generally more emotionally vulnerable as compared to men and they are more likely to hang on to a negative thought, reveals several studies. This can increase the risk of depression. For a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, men and women were exposed to negative images. Women rated negative images higher than men. Higher testosterone levels in men were linked with lower sensitivity, while feminine attributes were associated with higher sensitivity.
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