Depression - Women in Connecticut

Connecticut

Depression (also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a serious mood disorder that is more common among women than men. The symptoms of depression — such as hopelessness, fatigue and loss of interest in activities — can impact all aspects of a person’s life, including their thoughts, feelings and daily functioning. Around 80% of adults with depression report struggling with work, home or social activities. 

Depression during and after pregnancy may prevent women from forming early mother-child bonds, which are important for a child’s development. Mothers with untreated postpartum depression are more likely to experience difficulties in their relationships, discontinue exclusive breastfeeding, use less-healthy infant feeding practices and engage in risky behaviors such as smoking or substance use. 

There are significant societal costs associated with depression. The annual economic burden of depression in the United States is estimated at $334 billion, including direct medical costs, household-related costs and loss of workplace productivity. Furthermore, the prevalence of depression may be higher than what is reported due to stigma associated with mental illness.

Depression is a complex disorder caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and physiological factors. Risk factors for depression include a family history of depression, major life changes or stressors, certain medications, and illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Women are also at higher risk for depression than men. 

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of depression is higher among:

• Women ages 18-24 compared with women ages 35-44. The prevalence is lower with each increase in age group.
• Non-Hispanic multiracial, white and American Indian/Alaska Native women compared with Asian, Black and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women. 
• Women with some post-high school education compared with college graduates and those with less than a high school education. 
• Women with an annual household income less than $25,000 compared with those who have incomes of $75,000 or more.
• Women who live in nonmetropolitan areas compared with women in metropolitan areas.
• Women who have difficulty living independently compared with women who do not have a disability. 
• LGBQ+ women compared with straight women.
• Women who have served in the U.S. armed forces compared with women who have not served.

Depression is most commonly treated with psychotherapy, medication or both. Talking with your primary care provider is a good first step toward finding mental health care. More resources can be found on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website, including a treatment locator for mental health and substance use disorders. 

Treatment for perinatal (during pregnancy or postpartum) depression also typically involves therapy, medication or a combination of the two. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend regular perinatal and perinatal and postpartum visits that include screening for mental health conditions.

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps offers multiple scientifically-supported strategies for improving health outcomes among people with depression, including behavioral health primary care integration, community-based social support for physical activity and changes to mental health benefits legislation. It is also important to address mental health stigma, which keeps many people from seeking treatment for their depression, particularly in racial and ethnic minority communities that experience more stigma around mental illness. It is also important to address mental health stigma, which keeps many people from seeking treatment for their depression, particularly in racial and ethnic minority communities that experience more stigma around mental illness.

In 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched to provide an easy-to-remember number for 24/7 confidential support for people in distress, as well as for prevention and crisis resources by call, text or online chat. The previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK (TALK (8255))) is also active and can still be used. The National Institute of Mental Health offers advice on how to help someone who is having suicidal thoughts.The National Institute of Mental Health offers advice on how to help someone who is having suicidal thoughts.

Healthy People 2030 has multiple mental health goals, including:

• Increasing the proportion of adults and adolescents who are screened for depression during primary care visits.
• Increasing the proportion of adults with depression who get treatment for it.
• Reducing the suicide death rate.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4.” Obstetrics & Gynecology 141, no. 6 (June 2023): 1232–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000005200.

Bharadwaj, Prashant, Mallesh M. Pai, and Agne Suziedelyte. “Mental Health Stigma.” Economics Letters 159 (October 2017): 57–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2017.06.028.

Brody, Debra J., Laura A. Pratt, and Jeffery P. Hughes. Prevalence of Depression Among Adults Aged 20 and Over: United States, 2013–2016. NCHS Data Brief No. 303. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, February 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db303.htm.

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Greenberg, Paul, Abhishek Chitnis, Derek Louie, Ellison Suthoff, Shih-Yin Chen, Jessica Maitland, Patrick Gagnon-Sanschagrin, Andree-Anne Fournier, and Ronald C. Kessler. “The Economic Burden of Adults With Major Depressive Disorder in the United States (2019).” Advances in Therapy 40, no. 10 (October 2023): 4460–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-023-02622-x.

Lee, Benjamin, Yan Wang, Susan A. Carlson, Kurt J. Greenlund, Hua Lu, Yong Liu, Janet B. Croft, Paul I. Eke, Machell Town, and Craig W. Thomas. “National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Adults Aged =18 Years Self-Reporting a Lifetime Diagnosis of Depression — United States, 2020.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 72, no. 24 (June 16, 2023): 644–50. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7224a1.

Slomian, Justine, Germain Honvo, Patrick Emonts, Jean-Yves Reginster, and Olivier Bruyère. “Consequences of Maternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review of Maternal and Infant Outcomes.” Women’s Health 15 (January 1, 2019): 1745506519844044.https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506519844044.