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“Ask Emily” — June 2008

All responses in the "Ask Emily” column are based on spiritual principles, the Holy Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and principles of worship and are not intended to provide professional counseling or psychotherapy.

Welcome to "Ask Emily" a monthly column dealing with tough issues that teens and young women face. Girls can be assured of a column that will be biblically sound and helpful. "Ask Emily" is written by Emily Stone, an ordained minister in the Church of God with a seminary degree and a graduate degree in marriage, family, and child counseling. Click here to meet Emily!

Dear Emily,

I hear people talking about “being depressed.”  I have heard that women are more likely to get depressed.  Is this true?  Could you tell me a little more about depression?  What is it and are there things we can do to make it better?

Sincerely,

Grace

Dear Grace,

What a great topic for us girls!  It is a good topic for us girls because you heard correctly.  Across the world, women are twice as likely to get depressed as men.  Why?  We’ll get to that.  First, let’s define depression.

God’s Word knows what medical science is learning.  Joy is our strength!  That is, the joy of the Lord (see Nehemiah 8:10).  With God’s help a person can get the help they need to experience a joy-filled life with our Savior.  That doesn’t mean that we are HAPPY all of the time.  Sadness is a normal part of life.  It often tells us that something is not quite right or needs to be changed.  It is often a powerful tool God uses to get our attention.  However, being sad all of the time is not normal. 

We all get “depressed” from time to time.  We all have sad days.  However, there are conditions that involve a diagnosis of depression and we call that “clinical depression.”  Here are symptoms that you are clinically depressed:

• Depressed mood most of the day…being sad most of the time.
• Less interest or pleasure in all activities
• Weight loss or gain (when not dieting).
• Sleeping difficulties (having a difficult time getting to sleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much)
• Slowed or hyperactive movements.  Do you feel like you have “electricity” running through your veins rather than blood?  Or do you feel like you have molasses running through your veins rather than blood?
• Tiredness or loss of energy.
• Feeling worthless.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Thoughts of death.

If these symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, a person should seek professional help.  This is different than being sad for a little while.  People who are clinically depressed have pervasive feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.  They feel powerless.

So what is going on and why are women more likely to experience depression?  There are medical, social, relational, and emotional causes of depression.  Let’s start with the medical cause.

There is a chemical in our brain that is used to deliver messages about mood.  This chemical is called “serotonin.”  Very simply put, serotonin helps carry messages of good mood to neurons in the brain.  Women have about half as much serotonin in their bodies as men do. 

Before you get angry about God’s design for our bodies, understand that female bodies carry a hormone that men do not have.  It is called estrogen.  Estrogen MULTIPLIES the serotonin in our bodies.  Thus, we end up with the same amount of serotonin levels as men because of estrogen.

However, there are times in our lives that estrogen is at its lowest.  At different points in our menstrual cycle, estrogen levels go down.  Estrogen levels go up during pregnancy and then take a nosedive after giving birth.  Estrogen levels go down in menopause, too. 

So there are times in our life as women that we are more susceptible to depression because of low estrogen levels.  At these times our bodies often make up for it by knowing to produce more serotonin.  However, this is genetically determined and some women do not produce as much serotonin as other women in these times.  They are more likely to struggle with depression than other women.  These women may need to take an “anti-depressant” medication prescribed by a physician.  Anti-depressants help the brain make and use serotonin more efficiently.

There are a few diagnosable conditions that involve depression for women.  These include:

• Major Depressive Disorder.
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder

You can use your Internet search engine to learn more about these disorders.  As always, be aware that not all information on the Internet is beneficial.  You are encouraged to ask your physician about these conditions.

While medical causes are very real, there are also other risk factors for depression.  They include:

• Living in a remote or rural area.  (Isolation increases risk of depression.)
• For a woman…not having any work outside of the home.
• Individuals choosing a homosexual or bi-sexual lifestyle are more likely to struggle with depression.
• Chronic illness.
• Loss of loved ones.
• Drug use and alcohol abuse.
• Family history of depression.
• Lack of community and family support.
• For women…having young children in the home.  Mothers of young children are more likely to struggle with depression, possibly from the stress.  In times past, women with young children were surrounded by family.  In our culture this is not often the case.

Now that we have a better understanding of what depression is and those who are at risk for it, let’s talk a bit about how to treat depression.  Although depression is sometimes unavoidable medically, this list also includes things you can do to prevent depression from developing.

• Get outside!  There are some studies that suggest that exposure to direct sunlight for at least 20 minutes a day can help alleviate depressed mood.
• Get going!  While you are in the sun take a walk, play with your kids, or ride a bike.  Being active (which also leads to being physically fit) helps alleviate depression.
• Get connected!  Isolation breeds depression.  While we all need times of solitude and rest, be sure to include time in your schedule for talks with friends, church events, and family time .
• Get involved!  If a part-time job doing something you enjoy is not a possibility, find a way to volunteer your time for a cause you care about.  It may be at your church, in the hospital, or at the nursing home.  Organize a community function.  Find something that brings you feelings of well being outside of your home. 
• Get healthy!  Watch what you eat.  Increased amounts of salt, caffeine, and sugar can cause anxiety and feelings of depression.
• Get help!  If you are struggling with drug use, find a club or group or professional counselor to help you.  If you are stressed out from caring for your young children, find a babysitter or friend who can provide you with relief.  If you are feeling depressed, let your physician know and find a professional therapist to talk to. 
• Say No!  Having too much on your plate can lead to being overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.  Cut back on your responsibilities and make room to care for yourself. 

Depression and anxiety (a common co-existing condition) are prevalent in our society.  Societal conditions often trigger depressive episodes.  There is hope and there is help.  Proverbs 17:22 states:  “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, ask the Lord to give you wisdom to make the necessary steps toward healing.

With the Love of Christ,

Emily

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