Working Moms More Likely to be Depressed
Categories: Just for moms, Medical conditions
A friend texted me the other day: "I spend my days taking care of everyone and everything," she said. "But who takes care of me?"
It's a modern mom's lament. And it's more serious than a pity-party. Consider these statistics from Working Mother:
What I've discovered about myself as a parent is that I'm more likely now than in my pre-kid days to compartmentalize feelings. If I don't have time for negative feelings, I put them away for a later date, but sometimes, they never get dealt with. And that can add up.
Part of the problem, says Working Mother, is that depression still carries a stigma. Women feel like there's something wrong with them if they can't manage their life, especially if that life is full of everything they ever wanted. But depression is a disease just like asthma or diabetes. Untreated depression can cause worsening emotional and physical symptoms. A doctor friend of mine says that she and her partners see 3-4 cases of depression and/or anxiety a day ... each. "It's very common," she says, "But it can be treated."
If you're not sure if you're just stressed out or depressed, take this quiz and read over the Defining Depression fact sheet. Then take your answers to your doctor to find out if counseling or medication could help you.
Have you been affected by depression since becoming a parent? And if so, what do you think contributes most to your symptoms?
It's a modern mom's lament. And it's more serious than a pity-party. Consider these statistics from Working Mother:
- 91% of working women surveyed said they had signs of depression.
- One in five working women will experience depression in their lifetime.
- Women are at twice the risk of developing depression as men.
- More than a third of women of childbearing age exhibit symptoms.
- But, only 40% of women with depression seek help.
What I've discovered about myself as a parent is that I'm more likely now than in my pre-kid days to compartmentalize feelings. If I don't have time for negative feelings, I put them away for a later date, but sometimes, they never get dealt with. And that can add up.
Part of the problem, says Working Mother, is that depression still carries a stigma. Women feel like there's something wrong with them if they can't manage their life, especially if that life is full of everything they ever wanted. But depression is a disease just like asthma or diabetes. Untreated depression can cause worsening emotional and physical symptoms. A doctor friend of mine says that she and her partners see 3-4 cases of depression and/or anxiety a day ... each. "It's very common," she says, "But it can be treated."
If you're not sure if you're just stressed out or depressed, take this quiz and read over the Defining Depression fact sheet. Then take your answers to your doctor to find out if counseling or medication could help you.
Have you been affected by depression since becoming a parent? And if so, what do you think contributes most to your symptoms?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pantrygirl 12-03-2008 @ 2:24PM
I just went back to work this week. This is not what I wanted to hear but I do agree that I find myself saying, "I take care of everyone. Who takes care of me?"
Reply
Nicola 12-03-2008 @ 2:34PM
I feel overstressed, overtired, overworked, and very under appreciated, that's for sure! I work full time, mother full time, volunteer all over the place, and generally never stop going. Doing for others. What surprised me is that I took the quiz linked above and it said that I scored as "moderate/severe depression". I never would have considered myself depressed, just stressed out and overrun! Interesting. But I still don't feed depressed :-)
Reply
Nicola 12-03-2008 @ 3:18PM
And that should be, "don't FEEL depressed". Obviously.
queenoqueens 12-03-2008 @ 4:33PM
I'm guessing that non-working women get depressed as well, but perhaps for different reasons.
The truth of the matter is that alot of stuff goes untreated because it's just too expensive and time consuming to treat it.
But I can see how becoming a parent depresses you. It smacks you right across the face with reality in a way that is much easier to deny when you're not a parent. And on top of that, you have less time, money and general resources to help cope after you become a parent.
Reply
divina 12-08-2008 @ 8:24PM
For me, it was going back to work that really snapped me out of my PPD. I got back into my routine, was solving problems at work all day and then coming home and relaxing and enjoying the time with my baby. By the end of my maternity leave, I really didn't know what to do with myself. Going back to work cemented my identity not just as a mother, but as so much more, and now I enjoy my life more than I ever have in my life.
Reply