Background: Depression is a very common disease and is caused both by the biological, physical, and psychosocial factors. At least 25 percent of women and 15 percent of all men are affected at some point in their lives. As a nurse, it is important to be aware of women's experience of depression to meet their needs for care.

Aim: To illuminate women's experience of depression in order to better understand their needs for care.

Method: Literature review in which ten scientific studies were analyzed and thematised. Eight qualitative studies and two studies of qualitative and quantitative method was retrieved from the database CINAHL Complete and PsycINFO. Keywords depression, women’s experience, experience of depression, female, nursing, major depression, women och social interaction were used. The theoretical framework used is Phil Barker's Tidal Model.

Results: The results were presented in two main themes and five subthemes. First experiences of depression with subthemes physical and psychological symptoms, perceptions about the underlying causes and triggers, experiences of shame and guilt. Then the second main theme handling of his situation with subthemes experiences of isolation and loneliness and experiences of self-care.

Discussions: The results discussed in the discussion of the result based on the findings Phil Barker's Tidal Model and also additional scientific articles, with the aim to deepening the understanding of the results. It is discussed that the nurse has an important role in responding to women who suffer from depression. When women feel that they are understood, they can more easily manage their situation and the prospects of recovery increases.