Why are more women diagnosed with depression than men?

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness week, Yahoo Canada Shine is exploring some issues affecting those with mental illness. Check back each day for new content and share with your friends. Let's keep the conversation going all year long.

While it's estimated that one in five Canadians will struggle with a mental health issue at some point in their lifetime, when it comes to depression, the statistic is even more unsettling. Research shows that Canadian women are twice as likely as men to suffer from this often debilitating condition.

The reasons for a person's depression are as unique as the individual, but when it comes to why women are diagnosed more than men there are three key themes, says Dr. Donna Stewart, Psychiatry Professor at University of Toronto, Director of Women's Health at University Health Network (UHN) and Senior Scientist at UHN.

Even when adjusted for the fact that women tend to self-report their symptoms more than men, approximately five to 10 per cent of the female population receives a diagnosis of clinical depression at some point in their lives.

The first reason for this increased rate of diagnosis has to do with the social aspects of a woman’s role in society.

"Women tend to have a lower status in society," says Stewart. "They are expected to be very caring and nurturing and to carry heavy burdens at home as well as at work if they work.

"They often have many things to do and very little time for themselves. So they’re overstretched and they're under a lot of stress."

Stewart says violence -- particularly intimate partner violence -- is also an issue that can increase a woman's likelihood of being diagnosed with depression.

The second area that increases a woman's risk of depression has to do with psychological factors.

Stewart says women tend to second-guess themselves and ruminate about decisions and problems whereas men are more likely to make a decision and stick with it. This self-doubt can contribute to a person's low mood.

She says women also typically tend to have less self-esteem and tend to impose duties on themselves.

"Society expects a lot of women but women also expect a lot of themselves," she says.

Lastly, biology also plays a major role in a woman's predisposition to depression, especially around areas of high hormonal changes beginning at puberty.

"We know if you look at little boys and little girls up to the age of puberty the rates of depression are very similar," says Stewart. "Within a year of the onset of puberty that shifts, and little girls' rates of depression and anxiety skyrocket."

Stewarts explains that these rates remain high all through a woman's reproductive years, only coming down after menopause, but even then they never quite get as low as they are in men.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, it's important to seek help from a trusted professional. Speak to your family doctor, who can help you get the resources you need. If you're fearful for your life or someone else's, you can call 9-1-1 to get help right away.

"Women who see their friend struggling should feel comfortable to say to them 'Are you OK?' and you know, just giving them permission to talk," adds Stewart.

For the first piece in our series, see: How to tell if it's the blues or something more
For the second piece in our series, see: This simple breathing trick can help treat and prevent depression
For the third piece in our series, see: Is your child depressed? 3 signs parents should watch for