Chronic Depression in Women.

Chronic depression represents an important public health concern for women. It is underrecognized and undertreated and is associated with significant functional impairment and high rates of comorbidity. Moreover, recent research suggests that chronic depression may affect women more seriously than men; for example, women may experience illness onset at an earlier age and experience more severe psychosocial impairment compared with men. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both antidepressant medications and psychotherapy in treating chronic depression, with differential responsiveness to some treatments between women and men. Young women should be screened carefully and treated vigorously to prevent the serious consequences of this condition.