Studies worldwide indicate that women are at the greatest risk of developing depressive disorders in their 40s. The vulnerable state, hormonal fluctuations, role-stress, victimization, sex specific socialization, internalized coping style and disadvantaged social status have been documented to increased vulnerability.

Whist the disorder is prevalent, spotting the symptoms are extremely challenging. Women manifest depression by talking about heightened emotions –they verbalize readily emotional distress, sharing about their guilt and shame; they try make themselves invisible so that people will ignore them.

Women with depression tend to conceal the condition because of shame, stigma, fear. Listening attentively to our women friends and noticing changes in their behaviors will help us catch depression at its earlier stages.