Depression in women can affect every aspect of their lives. Depression can fill your entire world with a gloomy, dark, and dense fog as you constantly worry about how you will cope with daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and working. Depression can leave you feeling empty and helpless, depriving you of energy and feelings of hope.
Women are almost twice as likely to be affected by depression than men. Some experts suggest that this is perhaps because women have many factors that contribute to depression, which is a result of the many roles they may hold in their lives: wife, mother, friend, caregiver, employee, confidant, etc. Each role in itself is quite complex and can lead to many ups and downs.
Many other scientists suggest it may be explained by biological causes, including stronger genetic predispositions or fluctuating hormone levels.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. According to WHO Experts, one in eight women will experience symptoms of depression at some point during their lives. Less than half of those suffering from depression receive adequate treatment.
Because the prevalence of depression is so high and severe, it is important to be aware of the top symptoms of depression. The first step to fighting any disorder is to learn its symptoms.
Symptoms of Depression in Women
When we look at the dominant and generally observable symptoms of depression in women, there may be symptoms such as loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, lack of interest in daily activities, and recurring thoughts of suicide or death. In addition to these overwhelming feelings, there are many other symptoms of depression.
2. Feelings of Guilt, Worthlessness, and Hopelessness
Guilt, lack of self-confidence and a pessimistic outlook are clinical symptoms of depression that are seen in 90% of people suffering from depression. Some women may exhibit greater guilt, blaming themselves excessively for mistakes they have made. Women with depression often blame themselves more than others, even for any simple incident.
Anxiety
Women suffering from depression are prone to anxiety and fear. Anxiety is not just about feeling tense because even a simple situation is about to happen. For those who develop anxiety disorders, the smallest events become obsessions and lead the person to the point of paranoia. An anxiety attack can make a woman more moody, and it may not be easy to get rid of this moodiness and unsociability.
Insulation
When looking at the symptoms of depression in women, it is often seen that some women see social activity as unnecessary and as a result, they choose to isolate themselves by moving away from the outside world and people. Isolation or inhibition of social activity and social contact is part of a condition medically known as adhedonia, which is the loss of the experience of experiencing pleasure in activities that were once pleasurable. This is a central feature of depression. Adhedonia is one of the earliest indicators of the disease.
Tiredness
Fatigue is another common symptom of depression in women, according to a study published in the journal Psychiatry in 2004. In a study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology in 2000, 73 percent of 78,463 participants were diagnosed with symptoms of major depression, all of whom reported complaints of weakness and fatigue.
Among the symptoms of depression in women, fatigue is the most common symptom: The neurotransmitter in our brain known as serotonin is responsible for creating feelings of happiness. Another neurotransmitter, epinephrine, is responsible for creating energy.
Irritability And Anger
Irritability and anger, as well as overwhelming feelings of hopelessness; are other characteristic features of depression. In women experiencing depression, any small spark or situation that would normally be ignored can lead to outbursts of anger.
According to recent research, symptoms of irritability and anger during depression have been viewed as clinical markers for a more severe and complex form of major depressive disorder.
What are the situations that increase depression in women?
There are several important factors that increase the risk of depression in women, including biological, interpersonal, personality and psychological factors.
Some experts believe that women are more likely to experience depression due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives. From puberty to pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause, women are exposed to many hormone fluctuations that can contribute to the development of depression.
Other factors that increase depression in women include:
- History of mood disorders in the early reproductive years
- Family history of mood disorders
- Ongoing social or psychological stress
- Loss of a parent before age 10
- Use of certain medications
- Physical or sexual abuse during childhood
- Loss of social support system (loss of friendship, spousal attention, family…)
Despite all these distressing circumstances, depression is a treatable disorder. If you or a woman in your life is struggling with symptoms of depression, you should know that there are things you can do to feel better. Reach out to an experienced mental health professional today to help you get started on the path to true recovery.
3. Depression in Young Girls
Like adults, teenage girls are more likely to experience depression than boys. Symptoms may also be different between adults and children. It's important for parents to be aware of signs of depression in teens, so they can intervene if necessary:
- Mood changes that may include sadness and irritability
- Distancing from family and friends
- Decline in school and grade performance
- Changes in behavior such as sleeping, eating habits, and energy levels
- Lack of interest in things he once enjoyed, such as school, friends, or sports
- extreme anxiety
- Self-harming tendencies or situations
- menstrual disorder
There are several types of depression that only women are susceptible to and that are triggers for low mood. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is similar to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, experienced by most women. PMDD is more severe and can have the same symptoms as major depression; Cramping and other physical symptoms typical of PMS may also occur.
This type of depression usually begins seven to 10 days before a woman's period and may continue for several days. Treatment with antidepressants may help relieve PMDD symptoms. In addition to the symptoms of major depression, factors that can cause this condition include:
- Anxiety
- Tension
- extreme emotional sensitivity
- mood swings
- Irritability and anger
- Feelings of suffocation or loss of control
Physical symptoms of PMS, which may be more severe, including cramps, breast tenderness, headaches and bloating
4. Pregnancy And Postpartum Depression
Depression during pregnancy is called perinatal depression, and after birth, it is called postpartum depression. Women experience many hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, and it can be normal to feel a little depressed. Persistent and severe depression is not normal. Symptoms include typical symptoms of depression, but a woman may also experience:
- Difficulty bonding or connecting with their baby
- Severe mood swings, including intense irritability or anger
- Uncontrollable and unpredictable crying
- Feeling guilty, ashamed, and like a bad mother
- Panic attacks (the last symptom is unusual and very serious)
In rare cases, a woman with postpartum depression may experience an episode of psychosis that can cause delusions, hallucinations, confusion, obsessive thoughts, and paranoid thoughts. This can also cause a mother to have frightening thoughts about harming her baby or herself. These symptoms should be taken very seriously and treated as a medical emergency.
Perimenopausal Depression
Another time in a woman's life when hormones change is at the onset of menopause. This is called perimenopause and can cause a variety of physical and mood symptoms. Going through this process can be difficult and uncomfortable, but depression is not normal. Symptoms of major depression, such as low mood, loss of interest in activities, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety, should be addressed.
Experiencing perimenopausal depression may seem like a natural part of the process for many women. This may be explained by the fact that most women who currently have depressive symptoms in their lives have never struggled with depression before. One study found that one in six women going through perimenopause who had never had depression developed depressive symptoms. It is important to realize that perimenopausal depression is a mental health problem that can be managed with treatment.
5. Symptoms of Disorders Co-occurring with Depression
Women who struggle with depression are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders can cause a person to:
- to your situation
- to your unrest
- to your tiredness
- Trouble concentrating
- muscle tension
- to unrest
- having difficulty sleeping
- being overly worried
- It may vary depending on.
Eating disorder symptoms may vary depending on the type, but may include binge eating, emotional eating, eating alone and avoiding eating, feelings of guilt or disgust after binge eating, fear of gaining weight, unhealthy calorie restriction, or vomiting after binge eating.
Symptoms of substance use disorders include using drugs or alcohol even though they are causing problems, using substances out of control, spending a lot of time using them, and experiencing tolerance and withdrawal.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of Depression in Women because it is a chronic mental illness that will not go away without professional treatment.
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