What are the leading causes of depression and anxiety in women today?

I think it’s hormonal and that women today live very stressful lives. Think about it. Women are expected to work full time, get married, raise families and keep house. They are tending to everyone else’s needs but their own. There is so much guilt and worrying doing all of these things

I think that the reasons that women have such a high rate of anxiety and depression have to do with both hormones and societies attitudes about women and men.

Hormones make me crazy, I won’t deny my menstrual cycle drives me nuts! Men don’t have to deal with that or pregnancy, which can increase the rate of mental illness almost by 25%.

Societies attitudes about women and men? Again huge role. Women have a lot of pressures on them especially when it comes to sexuality and motherhood. Just think about the double standards and our repressed sexuality. It’s enough to depress me if I didn’t know the right people.

Also, women are encouraged to talk about their feelings, where as men are encouraged to be macho or manly and ignore their depressions or anxieties. Women tend to take their emotions out on themselves in a self destructive and noticable manner. Men, on the other hand, are encouraged to bottle it up. Big boys don’t cry, that type of deal. Men are less likely to seek help. It’s just not ‘manly’ whatever manly is, I don’t believe in manly.

Premenstrual Problems, Pregnancy & Infertility, Postpartum Depression,
Perimenopause & Menopause;
Sexual & Physical Abuse; Relationship Dissatisfaction. These are some leading
causes, but not all.

Many women often suffer from role strain over conflicting and overwhelming responsibilities in their life. The more roles a woman is expected to play (mother, wife, working woman), the more vulnerable she is to role strain and subsequent anxiety and depression. Depression is more common in women who receive little help with housework and child care. Single mothers are particularly at risk. Single mothers are three times more likely than married mothers to experience an episode of major depression.

This website source explains the leading causes of anxiety and depression in women and what can be done to help those who suffer from depression and anxiety.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_women.htm

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD has an excellent book out on depression and anxiety called:
"The Mindful Way through Depression"
teaching many techniques and skills needed
to help alleviate depression and anxiety.

Hope all this helps, some.

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I know from experience, hormones. When I was on birth control it made me nuts – anxiety and panic attacks. Mood swings and crying over nothing. Many of my friends have also experienced this on BC – and some who were never on BC started taking it and it balanced them out. So I really believe that hormones play a huge part. Also thyroid problems too.