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CHRISTIAN
SINGLES
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CHRISTIAN
DATING ADVICE
CHRISTIAN SINGLES : GUIDE TO
ENDING LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION Cont.
Depression in Women
Women experience depression about twice
as often as men.1 Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased
rate of depression in women—particularly such factors as menstrual
cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause,
and menopause. Many women also face additional stresses such as
responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring
for children and for aging parents.
A recent NIMH study showed that in the
case of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), women with a preexisting
vulnerability to PMS experienced relief from mood and physical symptoms
when their sex hormones were suppressed. Shortly after the hormones were
re-introduced, they again developed symptoms of PMS. Women without a
history of PMS reported no effects of the hormonal manipulation.6,7
Many women are also particularly
vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The hormonal and physical changes,
as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can be factors that
lead to postpartum depression in some women. While transient
"blues" are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive
episode is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention.
Treatment by a sympathetic physician and the family's emotional support
for the new mother are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her
physical and mental well-being and her ability to care for and enjoy the
infant.
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