Maternal Depression: Fact and Figures

Here are a few fact that I read on Mental Health America’s website.  A few of them may be surprising to you.

Depression is the leading cause of disability world wide among women.

Okay this one surprised me when I first read it.  Depression the leading cause of disability for women all over the world.  Then after reflection, how many women take care of someone else and not themselves.   How many women have children, aging parents or other relatives that they are caring for, not to mention their husband.  All of these individuals have expectations that they place on the women in their lives.  The manner in which women perform their day to day tasks is often seen as a reflection of worth.  If a women is a good homemaker she is generally thought to be a good mother.  If she has dishes in the sink and the floor needs to be vacuumed then a snap judgment on her worth is made.  The point being that we as human often misjudge women by how they preform and not on the content or desires of their character.  

4th leading cause of disease burden globally.
 

This is over infectious disease and medical illness such as congestive heart failure.  That means that depression is making a difference in millions of lives everyday, every hour and every minute of individuals and families lives.  The idea that we are all connected and therefore affected by the actions of each other should make this one statement a call for action.  The life of an individual is not isolated but connected to all those who come in contact with them.  Just like the pebble thrown in the water, the ripple effect may go outward and affect hundreds of people. Depression is not isolated but rather weaves itself into the lives of millions of people all over the world.

1 out of 5 women will suffer from depression in their lifetime.

Everyone can name five individuals that they know.  One of them has depression.  They may not shout it from the rooftops or put it on a billboard for all to read, just the same you know someone with depression.  

One-third of child bearing women have depression.

Childbirth should be one of those happy memories that women joyously recount to their children and grandchildren.  Yet, for many this time of increased stress and transition is clouded by depression.  Thoughts of worthlessness, doubt, and despair often accompany women who try to cope with the increased responsibilities but may not have the support of those around them or may not want others to judge them as a failure because sometimes life is just too much for them to handle.  Everyone no matter their age has had trials that were difficult.  We all have tough times that make us want to sit down and just cry for a while.  We all feel the expectations of those around us to perform and we all get depressed for a period of time.  The difference is the severity and the length of depression.  Those with depression may just need a listening nonjudgmental listening ear that gives them the opportunity to get it all out.  In grade-school we learned that everyone is different.  In high school we saw how different we were, the groups that form during this period is proof that we are not like cookie cutters, all shaped the same.  So, why do we expect the same out of everyone around us?  I am not for throwing out expectations completely but rather for listening to others before we judge and expecting everyone to perform how we want them to.   Depression is a real emotional and physical state that affects individuals mood.  Those with depression should know that they are not alone, others suffer with this illness just like they do.  Depression does not have to be a lifelong visitor every day.  There is help for those with depression so that they can live their lives just like the rest of the world. 

References

Depression in women. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF952E-1372-4D20-C8A3DDCD5459D07B

Mental Health America website has amazing resources that can help you and your love ones. Check them out at  http://www.nmha.org/go/depression