Chicago — As displayed in the media multiple times before, girls can tend to be moody. This stereotype, outdated but partially true, can be proven by the different chemicals that are released in female’s anatomical systems. From constant ignorant comments regarding gender and unknowing assumptions made about women in general, it makes sense for girls to be moody since half of us are totally over dealing with misogyny on a daily basis.
Being female in the space we live in can be challenging in itself. Despite that, when children enter adolescence puberty is inevitable. The new change in hormones usually lead to irritability with girls, and increased anger or temper with boys. Puberty is based on the growth of estrogen or testosterone production in a child’s body, which leads them through the transition of becoming a young adult. The reactions between both groups are valid, but when feeling a little down turns into a depressive episode, action needs to be taken.
Generally speaking, one in every four women develop Major Depressive Disorder at some point in their lives, and women are two times more likely to deal with this disorder compared to men. Hormonal fluctuations of estrogen during your cycle can deeply impact this, along with affecting the amount of serotonin and dopamine that gets through the nervous system, reaching the mind. Women are also more prone to anxiety since there are often more chronic stressors added to day to day life. This can be broken down into many smaller groups too. For example LBGQ women, Black women, WOC, and transgender women all are at risk for facing more challenges in life. The more stressors added on a certain demographic, the more likely they will be prone to depression and anxiety. Family history is also a recurring culprit of female depression, as many physical and mental disorders are hereditary.
This guest post is in partnership with True Star Media.