Is Depression Different in Males and Females

Is Depression Different in Males and Females Depression Symptoms Print Is Depression Different in Males and Females? Understanding the Subtle Differences By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Updated on February 06, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Biological Sex Gender Roles and Identity Sexual Minorities Impact on Depression Treatment View All Depression is characterized by a core set of  symptoms including low mood, lack of motivation, loss of pleasure in activities and hobbies, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, feelings of guilt, and difficulty concentrating.??     Most people with depression experience at least a few of these hallmark symptoms, though they may not have them all and they may have others. Research has suggested that individual factors combine to determine what someone’s experience of depression looks and feels like.?? No two people with depression will have identical experiences, but understanding how each contributing factor affects a persons risk and symptoms could lead to more effective treatment. Biological Sex, Gender Identity, and Depression Biological sex and gender identity are among these contributing factors. Its long been thought that men and women experience and express depression in different ways, but that doesnt mean the condition could be divided into two distinct forms. It’s more akin to the way mental illness can manifest differently in children and teens than it does in adults.?? On their own, biological sex and gender differences may not have a powerful impact. When combined with other factors, such as life stressors, trauma, and co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety,  substance use disorders, or eating disorders, these influences may make a person more prone to depression. Why Some People Are More Prone to Depression Than Others Biological Sex   In 2018, a  study published  in the journal  Biological Psychiatry  proposed that there are molecular differences in the brains of biologically male and female individuals with depression.?? For the study, researchers examined postmortem brain tissue samples from 50 subjects to see if there were any differences between the brains of people who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and those who had not. Although previous studies had set out to explore the same question, most only looked at male brains. The 2018 study included biologically male and female brains. The researchers evaluated the level of gene expression in the brain tissue, specifically looking at how genes were expressed in three regions of the brain linked to mood regulation. According to their findings, male and female brains contained different gene variants.?? These variants were also different from those of people who didn’t have depression.     Most of the genetic changes the researchers noted occurred in only the male or female brains, but not both. One of the major differences researchers noted was that the female brains expressed more of the genes that determine synaptic activity (the electrical impulses that brain cells use to communicate).     The Chemistry of Depression Researchers made an interesting discovery about the genes that were altered in both male and female brains: The same gene might have changed, but those changes weren’t necessarily the same.   In fact, in some cases, the change observed in the male brain was the opposite of the change seen in the female brain.  For example, if a certain region showed increased gene expression in the female brain, gene expression in that region of the male brain was decreased. The findings were intriguing, but the researchers concluded that more research is needed to understand their value. The study did have limitationsâ€"most notably that the brains were only examined after death. Therefore, its not clear what genetic changes in the brain would mean for people living with depression. While molecular and physical evidence of a difference is fairly new, doctors and mental health professionals have long suspected that men and women experience and express depression in different ways.   A  2019 study  published in the journal  Progress in Neurobiology  proposed that biological sex differences could influence not just how depression manifests in men and women, but how it responds to treatment.??     The researchers paid specific attention to the effect of pregnancy and the postpartum period on depression risk for biologically female subjects. The results of the study provided supportive evidence that a person who is biologically female is more at risk for depression directly after giving birth than at any other period in their life.??     Its likely that the hormonal changes of pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation, combined with the psychological stress of becoming a parent, increase a womans vulnerability to depression.?? Similarly, menopauseâ€"another time of hormonal changeâ€"was also associated with an increased risk of depression.??     Research has repeatedly indicated that  women are twice as likely  as men to be diagnosed with depression.?? One possible explanation is that hormonal changes that are specific to the female body could influence the onset of depression.  Studies in support of the theory also indicate that there is a disparity in depression risk between males and females that  peaks in adolescence.?? Teens and young adults of either sex face a cascade of shifting hormones and social stressors that can contribute to depression, as well as other mental health conditions like anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and suicide.?? Gender Roles and Identity   It may not be that a greater number of women are depressed, but rather, that a woman is  more likely to receive a diagnosis. Research has indicated that women who are depressed are more likely to show “typical” (or recognizable) emotional symptoms, such as crying. Women also  tend to show  more  symptoms of depression  than men.??   This observation is one example of how social factors influence the way people experience and express their emotions. While there may be a pattern, it’s not a strict relationship: Some women struggle to express their feelings while some men may be comfortable doing so.   The Different Types of Emotional Responses But broadly speaking, Western society’s traditional gender roles accept women openly expressing their feelings. Women tend to be more likely to talk about how they feel with a partner or friend, as well as seek help for symptoms of depression by sharing their concerns with a doctor or therapist.     Conversely, society often pressures men to take a  more stoic approach.??  Men can be less likely to express or demonstrate their emotions openly and are often  more reluctant to ask for help.??     When someone cannot freely express their feelings, these emotions may emerge in other forms. For example, sadness thats been pushed down might eventually “bubble up” to the surface as anger.     Research has indicated that men are often more likely to express depression in ways that differ from the more “classic” presentation. This difference may be one reason why depression in men is often missed or attributed to other causes.??      Men may be more likely to express depression in the following ways:   Misusing alcohol  or other substances  Irritability, frequent outbursts, or “explosive” anger  Risk-taking (such as reckless driving or substance-impaired driving)  Escapism (e.g., working late, spending more time at the gym, playing video games for hours)   Controlling, violent, and unpredictable behavior can be a sign of a mental health condition such as depression or a substance use disorder in any person. However, mental illness  does not  justify abuse.     If you suspect a loved one needs treatment for depression, but they are abusive, you need to put your safety first. There are resources available that can help you stay safe and get your loved one the help they need.     Sexual Minorities   Biological and social stressors can also be overwhelming for people in sexual minority groups.?? Studies have consistently shown that the rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide are high in the LGBTQ community.?? Research also indicates that the increased risk of depression in transgender people and people who identify beyond the male/female gender binary starts young. A  2018 study  found that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in transgender and gender non-conforming youth was sevenfold higher than their cis-gendered peers.??     Studies have also shown that kids and teens experiencing gender dysphoria and/or questioning their sexual orientation are  more vulnerable to depression.?? ??     To further compound these difficulties, people in sexual minority groups often lack equitable access  to health care, including mental health services.?? While they may begin in youth, these  disparities can persist  into adulthood.?? The  rate of depression in LGBTQ adults  is high and often linked to pervasive social stigma and transphobia, as well as a lack of knowledge in health care providers.??     Transgender people seeking gender confirmation surgery who are unable to access support and treatment  are at an even greater risk  for depression and suicide.?? However,  research has shown  that gender-affirming hormone therapy can improve the mental and physical well-being of people navigating gender dysphoria.?? Impact on Depression Treatment   One of the foremost questions for researchers is whether studies on the effect of biological sex and gender could lead to improved treatment for everyone with depression. While each persons experience of depression depends on many factorsâ€"not just biological sex or gender identityâ€"identifying important differences could help doctors prescribe treatments or even lead to new treatments. For example, many medications (including those commonly prescribed to treat mental illness) are dosed according to weight. Female bodies tend to have a higher body fat percentage than male bodies, which can affect how medications are metabolized.??     Hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout the biologically female lifespan can also influence how medications work.?? The specific events that are often associated with changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, need to be considered when deciding on any form of treatment for depression.     Every person dealing with depression can benefit from learning about the different approaches to treating the condition, including psychotherapy, medication, and interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).?? If youre dealing with depression, the first step is to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor or mental health care provider. From there, you can consider the risks and benefits of each treatment and make an informed decision about the safest and most effective choice for you. Find Help With the Best Online Resources for Depression

Lord of the Flies Characters Description, Significance

William Goldings Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel about a group of schoolboys stranded on a deserted island without any adult supervision. Free from the restraints of society, the boys form their own civilization, which quickly descends into chaos and violence. Through this tale, Golding explores fundamental questions about human nature. In fact, each character can be interpreted as an essential element of the allegory. Ralph Confident, calm, and physically capable, Ralph is the novels protagonist. He runs around the island effortlessly and is able to blow the conch at will. This combination of good looks and physical competence makes him the natural leader of the group, and he assumes this role without hesitation. Ralph is a sensible character. As soon as the boys arrive on the island, he takes off his school uniform, recognizing that it is unsuitable for the hot, tropical weather. He is also pragmatic, showing no hesitation over this symbolic loss of their former lifestyle. In this way, he differs greatly from some of the other boys, who cling to scraps of their former lives. (Recall Littl’un Percival, who regularly chants his home address as if a policeman will somehow overhear him and bring him home.) In the novels allegorical structure, Ralph represents civilization and order. His immediate instinct is to organize the boys by setting up a system of government. He is careful to wait for democratic approval before assuming the role of Chief, and his orders are sensible and practical: build shelters, start a signal fire, and set up a system to ensure the fire doesn’t go out. Ralph isn’t perfect, however. He is susceptible to the lure of violence just like the other boys, as evidenced by his role in Simon’s death. In the end, he survives not because of his orderly authority but rather through his ultimate embrace of his animal instinct as he runs through the jungle. Piggy Piggy, the second character we meet in the novel, is a chubby, ungainly boy with a history of being bullied. Piggy is not very physically capable, but he is well-read and intelligent, and he frequently offers excellent suggestions and ideas. He wears glasses Piggy immediately allies himself with Ralph and remains his steadfast ally throughout their grueling adventure. However, Piggy’s loyalty stems more from his awareness that he is powerless on his own than from true friendship. It is only through Ralph that Piggy has any authority or agency, and as Ralph’s grip on the other boys diminishes, Piggys does too. As an allegorical figure, Piggy represents the civilizing forces of knowledge and science. It’s notable that Piggy emerges shortly after Ralph on the beach, as science and knowledge require a civilizing force before they can come into fruition. Piggys value is represented by his glasses, which the boys utilize as a scientific instrument to create fire. When Piggy loses possession and control of the glasses, he becomes less capable physically (suggesting the limits of knowledges influence), and the glasses become a magical totem instead of a scientific tool. Jack Jack is Ralph’s rival for authority on the island. Described as unattractive and aggressive, Jack believes he should be the Chief, and he resents Ralph’s easy authority and popularity. He is quickly presented as Ralph and Piggy’s enemy, and he begins undermining their authority from the moment they attain it. Of all the boys, Jack is the least bothered by the experience of being stranded on a deserted island. He seems fairly happy to be free to do as he likes, and he hates the way Ralph attempts to limit this newfound freedom with rules. Jack seeks to regain his ultimate freedom throughout the novel, first by merely breaking Ralphs rules, and then by establishing an alternative society that indulges in the physical pleasures of barbarism. While he initially seems to represent fascism and authority-worship, Jack actually represents anarchy. He rejects any limitations on his personal desires, including the desire to inflict harm on and eventually kill others. He is the opposite of Ralph, and from the very beginning of the novel, it is clear they cannot co-exist in a single society. Simon Simon is shy and timid, but has a strong moral compass and sense of self. He behaves according to his inner sense of right and wrong, even as the other boys become increasingly violent and chaotic. In fact, Simon is the only boy who does not engage in any sort of violence. Simon represents spirituality and can be interpreted as a Christ-like figure. He has a prophetic hallucination in which he speaks to the Lord of the Flies; afterwards, he discovers that the feared Beast does not exist. He rushes to share this information with the other boys, who panic at the sound of Simons frenzy and kill him. Roger Roger is Jack’s second-in-command, and he is arguably more cruel and savage than Jack. While Jack enjoys power and the title of Chief, Roger disdains authority and has a singleminded desire to hurt and destroy. He represents true savagery. At first, he is held back from his worst desires by just one memory of civilization: the fear of punishment. When he realizes that no punishment will come, he transforms into an elemental force of evil. Roger is the boy who ultimately kills Piggy, symbolically destroying sense and wisdom in favor or raw violence. Sam and Eric (Samneric) Sam and Eric are a pair of twins, referred to collectively by the name Samneric. Samneric are steadfast followers of Ralph until the very end of the novel, when they are captured and forcibly inducted into Jack’s tribe. The twins, who cling to the old ways of civilization, are representative of the majority of humankind. They represent the faceless populations that make up large societies, particularly in the eyes of governments. Samneric do not have much agency in the story, and they are dominated by forces around them. Their transition to Jack’s tribe represents the final fall of civilization.

Kant And Mill Vs. Mill - 2026 Words

In today’s world, it is oft believed that â€Å"happiness is the key to life,† in other words, when one achieves happiness, life is supremely fulfilling, satisfying, and could not be improved by any measurable means. I disagree with this proposition, alongside modern philosophers Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. In this essay I will argue, utilizing theories from Kant and Mill and incorporating my own ideas in support, that virtue is the ultimate key to living a fulfilling life. In support of my position, I will cite theories from both Kant and Mill, as well as related concepts from other philosophers, including the â€Å"experience machine.† Mill is noted for his theory on utilitarianism. According to Mill, utility is equated with happiness, and utilitarianism can be referred to as the Greatest Happiness Principle. This principle states that â€Å"the ultimate end, with reference to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable (whether we are co nsidering our own good or that of other people), is an existence exempt as far as possible from pain, and as such as possible in enjoyments† (Mill, p. 961). And, I agree this is true. Happiness can be attained by any living creature, but on a multitude of different levels. Mill posits in his text that happiness is greater in potential for humans than it is for lower animals, as humans are able to attain a superior mental form of happiness over bodily forms of happiness. Due to this limitation, Mill believes few humans wouldShow MoreRelatedKant vs. Mill1576 Words   |  7 PagesKant vs Mills in Animal Rights In this essay I will cover the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. I will begin by covering Kant perspective of rational beings and his idea of a priori learning. I will then move on to his idea of categorical imparaitive. 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Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Restore or Retreat Free Essays

Imagine returning to your Hometown 30 to 40 years from now to find it completely replaced by wetlands. This is the reality that many Louisiana natives living along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico will have to face if coastal erosion continues at the pace it is going. Costello proclaims, â€Å"Since 1932, when the Department of Natural Resources began keeping thorough, accurate records, Louisiana has lost over 1,900 square miles or 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Louisiana Coastal Wetlands: Restore or Retreat or any similar topic only for you Order Now 2 million acres of coastal land due to coastal erosion. (19). Loss of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands is a problem that will impact a wide range of individuals, from those living in metropolitan areas far away to those living in smaller cities along the shoreline. The resources that this ecosystem supplies are utilized nationwide. The United States is expected to lose billions of dollars from the seafood industry, oil and gas revenue, and commercial shipping if Louisiana’s coast disappears (â€Å"Turning the Tide: the Fight to Keep Coastal Louisiana on the Map†, 1). While the state makes up forty percent of the United State’s wetlands, it regrettably accounts for eighty percent of land loss (Williams 1). Louisiana’s wetlands are home to fish, plants, and other wild life exclusive to the area. Sadly, their habitat is steadily shrinking and exactly half of Louisiana’s original wetlands have already been lost over the past 200 years (Williams 1). Southern Louisiana is also residence to a unique, lively, and diverse group of people that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. They have an amazing culture that can be depicted in movies like Princess and the Frog, which will hopefully stay in tact in the midst of all the land loss. According to S. Jeffress Williams and the U. S. Geological Survey, â€Å"The swamps and marshes of coastal Louisiana are among the Nation’s most fragile and valuable wetlands, vital not only to recreational and agricultural interests but also the State’s more than $1 billion per year seafood industry†(1). Louisiana’s wetlands are 3 million acres, reaching 130 kilometers inland and stretching 300 kilometers alon g the coast (Williams 1). It is the low-lying, swampy region that acts as the drainage basin connecting the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico (Costello 19). The Lower Mississippi River drains more than 24 million acres from seven states (Costello 19). Inhabitants have always been attracted to the region due to the vast range of resources available around the basin. Not to mention, residents were drawn in by the trade route and transportation that the Mississippi River had to offer in the 1700s (Costello 19). The fishing and shipping industries also provided many job opportunities, which made South Louisiana a very popular place to live (Costello 19). Bibliography Costello, Gina R. â€Å"Louisina Coastal Wetlands and Louisiana Coastal Grey Literature: Vanishing Treasures. † Maping Gray Resources for Coastal and Equatic Enviroments. Springer Science Business Media B. V. , 1 August 2007. Web. 15 March 2011. â€Å"Turning the tide: the fight to keep coastal Louisiana on the map. † LouisianaDept. of Natural Resources, 2004. Web. 15 March. 2011. http://utils. louislibraries. org/ Williams, S. Jeffress. â€Å"Louisiana Coastal Wetlands: A Resource at Risk. † US Geological Survey Facts Sheet, 3 November 1995. Web. 15 March. 2011. http://marine. usgs. gov/fact-sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands. html How to cite Louisiana Coastal Wetlands: Restore or Retreat, Papers

Symbolism In A Rose For Emily Essay Example For Students

Symbolism In A Rose For Emily Essay Symbolism in â€Å"A Rose for Emily†In the short story, â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner, symbolism is used very frequently through out the story. There are several different symbolic subjects in this story such as the house, Miss Emily as a â€Å"monument,† Homer and the â€Å"Yankee† views, and Miss Emily’s old Negro servant who represents death in the story. In many different ways, symbolism has a very deep and underlying insight to the story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily†. Miss Emily is compared to her house in many different ways. Descriptions of the decaying house symbolize Miss Emily’s physical and emotional decay, and as well as her mental problems. The representation between herself and her house is shown through constant neglect and unappreciation. In one point that Faulkner makes, the house is described to be stubborn and unrelenting, as Miss Emily is also portrayed on many occasions. Examples of her stubbornness is not letting the â€Å"new guard† attach metal numbers above her door when the town began to receive free mail service, when she refuses to believe that her father is dead, and refuses to pay her taxes. Just as the house seems to reject progress and updating, so does Miss Emily, until both of them become decaying symbols of their dying generation. Miss Emily also represents the â€Å"Old South†. Her southern heritage and points of view are represented through her actions. Her stubbornness and unrelenting attitude are very strong characteristics of the Southern heritage. She refused to believe that the times were changing and refused to change into the new society. The Southern heritage is also represented through Miss Emily’s strict and repetitive ways. The story basically addresses the changes in the South after the Civil War. Miss Emily is considered a â€Å"monument† of Southern manners and an ideal of past values. The Old South generations were deteriorating very rapidly by changing traditions, and as well as mannerisms. When Miss Emily died, her and her house both become symbols of their dying generation. Homer Barron is the representative of the Yankee attitudes toward the Griersons and also toward the entire South. The South is known for being traditional, and the North is known for being very adaptable to change. Homer Barron was from the North and also represented â€Å"the next generation with it’s more modern ideas† (Faulkner 315). In some stories, Negr oes sometimes represent death. In the short story, â€Å" A Rose for Emily,† the color black is symbolic for death, as well as depression and gloom. Death is very prevalent in this story through the deaths of her father, Homer Barron, and herself in the end. We will write a custom essay on Symbolism In A Rose For Emily specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now â€Å"A Rose for Emily† contains many examples of strong symbolism throughout the story. This short story contains a high rate of symbolism, which is thoroughly distributed and revealed throughout the entire story. Because Miss Emily refuses to accept the changing times, she symbolizes a completely different era than in which the town she lived in. Symbolism is very prominent throughout the story, and plays one of the biggest roles in the underlying meaning of the entire story. English Essays

The Spirit of the Renaissance essays

The Spirit of the Renaissance essays The Renaissance was a period in history when many different ideas from all across Europe came together in a gigantic reaction to the Dark Ages. A major part of this revolutionary movement is art. Society in Europe, during the Renaissance Period was controlled by the church. This belief at this time was that the one common person could not know God personally and the priest would act as a mediator between God and the people. The Catholic Church had taught for so long that man was a sinner and there was nothing that could be done about it. The Renaissance introduced the philosophy that man could be perfected through deeds by acting like Christ. The idea of religion was not abandoned during this period; it was simply mixed with ideas of humanism ( Hinkleman 288). During the Renaissance, artists were no longer regarded as mere artisans, as they were in the Medieval times. For the first time the artists along with poets and others emerged as creative personalities (Hayes 28). This began to express their ideas, and though the art still remained religious in nature, they contributed many of their own influences and individual style. Art went through many drastic changes and was influenced by many great and famous artists (Aston 129) The Renaissance is known as one of the greatest artistic periods in all of history. These late middle ages witnessed great achievements in fine arts especially in painting, sculptures and architecture. The art of this period, although largely religious in natures was no longer commissioned by the church, and by the 15th century, art was being notably influenced by contemporary humanism. Before the Renaissance there was no attempt to show depth, movement or form in art. Painters began to grapple with problems of perspective and space, always looking for a more realistic view of objects and especially human form. Perspectives were on ...

The Poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Her Writing Style

The Poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Her Writing Style Most of the poems included in Anne Bradstreets first collection, The Tenth Muse (1650), were quite conventional in style and form, and dealt with history and politics. In one poem, for instance, Anne Bradstreet wrote of the 1642 uprising of Puritans led by Cromwell. In another, she praises accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth. The publishing success of The Tenth Muse seems to have given Anne Bradstreet more confidence in her writing. (She refers to this publication, and to her displeasure with being unable to make corrections to the poems herself before publication, in a later poem, The Author to Her Book.) Her style and form became less conventional, and instead, she wrote more personally and directly - of her own experiences, of religion, of daily life, of her thoughts, of the New England landscape. Anne Bradstreet was in most ways quite typically Puritan. Many poems reflect her struggle to accept the adversity of the Puritan colony, contrasting earthly losses with the eternal rewards of the good. In one poem, for instance, she writes of an actual event: when the familys house burned down. In another, she writes of her thoughts of her own possible death as she approaches the birth of one of her children. Anne Bradstreet contrasts the transitory nature of earthly treasure with eternal treasures and seems to see these trials as lessons from God. Ann Bradstreet on Religion From Before the Birth of One of Her Children: All things within this fading world hath end. And from Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House July 10th, 1666: I blest His name that gave and took,That laid my goods now in the dust.Yea, so it was, and so twas just.It was His own, it was not mine....The world no longer let me love,My hope and treasure lies above. On the Role of Women Anne Bradstreet also alludes to the role of women and to womens capabilities in many poems. She seems especially concerned to defend the presence of Reason in women. Among her earlier poems, the one extolling Queen Elizabeth includes these lines, revealing the sly wit thats in many of Anne Bradstreets poems: Now say, have women worth? or have they none?Or had they some, but with our queen ist gone?Nay Masculines, you have thus taxt us long,But she, though dead, will vindicate our wrong,Let such as say our Sex is void of Reason,Know tis a Slander now, but once was Treason. In another, she seems to refer to the opinion of some as to whether she should be spending time writing poetry: I am obnoxious to each carping tongueWho says my hand a needle better fits. She also refers to the likelihood that poetry by a woman will not be accepted: If what I do prove well, it wont advance,Theyll say its stolen, or else it was by chance. Anne Bradstreet largely accepts, however, the Puritan definition of proper roles of men and women, though asking for more acceptance of womens accomplishments. This, from the same poem as the previous quote: Let Greeks be Greeks, and Women what they areMen have precedency and still excel;It is but vain unjustly to wage war.Men can do best, and women know it well,Preeminence in all and each is yours;Yet grant some small acknowledgment of ours. On Eternity In contrast, perhaps, to her acceptance of adversity in this world, and her hope of eternity in the next, Anne Bradstreet also seems to hope that her poems will bring a kind of earthly immortality. These excerpts are from two different poems: Thus gone, amongst you I may live,And dead, yet speak and counsel give.If any worth or virtue live in me,Let that live frankly in thy memory.