Women and Depression

When we think about women and depression it comes to mind the fact that depression affects twice as many women as it does men.

But there is not 100% true that only hormonal changes are the cause of the higher rate of depression in women. The role women have had through history may have influenced this predisposition to depression.

A History of Abuses…

To establish the relationship between women and depression it is important to take a look at the history of abuses that have been committed against women with SOLELY cultural excuses:

The following are just a few examples:

• Genital Mutilation: Is the complete or partial removing of the external female genitalia. This is done to prevent women from enjoying sexual pleasure. This procedure is practiced mainly among some of the northern tribes in Africa.

• Acid Throwing: This is a violent act in which the aggressor throws acid at the victim. 80% of victims of these acid attacks are female and almost 40% are under 18 years of age. In some countries acid throwing attacks have been used as a form of revenge for refusal of sexual advances, proposals of marriage, demands for dowry and when women that are "immodestly dressed" leave their faces unveiled. Depression and anxiety are common amongst all patients with large burn injuries from the acid.

• Bride-burning: Occurs when a young woman is murdered by her husband or his family for her family's refusal to pay an additional dowry. The wife is covered with kerosene, gasoline, or other flammable liquid, and she is set on fire.

• Forced Female Prostitution: Refers to the control over a woman who is obligated by another to take part in sexual activity.

Some historians believe that the history of violence against women is tied to the history of women being viewed as men’s property.

The fact that our societies (especially over the last two thousand years) have so brutally repressed the feminine element is the cause that a deep underlying pain resides in every woman.

All this suffering has evolved into a sort of collective female pain. Every woman has her share in what the author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle calls the female pain body in his book, "A New Earth".

This collective pain is not experienced in a conscious way but more in an unconscious way by all women.

The Censure of the Feminine

From ancient matriarchal societies in which the feminine element was revered, we turned into patriarchal societies in which the race for power and domination caused a complete unbalance within our people and with nature itself. Which is curiously also called “Mother Nature”.

Naturally, women are more in touch with our intuition and the inner aspects of our body. Also, we can say that we are more in tune with the natural world and more sensitive towards all other life-forms.

But it seems that we declared a war to what was sensitive and loving...

During the Inquisition period between 3 and 5 million women were burned and brutally killed accused of being witches. It was enough for a woman to like animals or enjoy the woods by herself to be proclaimed a witch. The sacred feminine element was declared evil and destroyed.

Men also suppressed the feminine element within themselves. What is loving and sensitive is considered weak and stands in the way of domination. Our society was and still is ruled by men. And the world that emerged from this unbalance is completely insane.

The male element became so strong that it even took over most women. We often deny the feminine element within ourselves. Now, women want to be seen as strong, powerful and competitive as men. To succeed in this world of men, we became “female versions” of men.

Healing from Within...

When speaking of women and depression it is important to address the fact that women tend to (consciously or unconsciously) build “internal layers” to cover pain from past grievances, regrets and mistakes ... If we can’t forgive those who hurt us or even forgive ourselves, we choose to suppress those feelings because they result too painful to face.

The purpose of Heal Anxiety and Depression.com is to give you the skills to heal your pain through Love. Because love is the most powerful healing force... And love is merely letting go of fear.

More Articles About Women and Depression ...

Signs of Depression in Women
It is important to know what the signs of depression in women are to seek early and appropriate treatment.

Stories of Recovery: Melissa's Story
Melissa is a 20 year old sexual abuse survivor and chronic depression sufferer, who now lives his life 100% free of depression medications.

Signs of Stress in Women
When we talk about women and depression we need to address one of the biggest causes of anxiety and depression: STRESS!


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