Some adolescent girls develop depression in response to their changing bodies. Menstruation causes biological and physical changes in a girl s body. Studies in menarche support the findings that body image can contribute to depression. A normal part of a girl s development involves a significant increase in fat and weight. Girls at relatively lower stage of ego development are concerned with bodily feelings and it is understandable that the onset of menstruation could disrupt a girl s sense of well being.
Adolescent girls experience a number of bodily changes.
They are forced to reorganize their body image. In a society that places a tremendous value on thinness, it is often difficult to assimilate these changes into a positive body image. Many people suffering from depression also possess a negative body image. Similarly, depressed college students manifest higher levels of body image dissatisfaction than non-depressed students, regardless of ethnicity or gender. Research has suggested that satisfaction with body s appearance is more salient in the self concept of college females than satisfaction with the body s effectiveness, with reverse findings occurring for males.