Be On The Lookout For: How Symptoms Of Depression In Women Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

Symptoms of Depression in Women Women are not different from men in experiencing emotional ups and downs, but hormonal fluctuations are more likely trigger these changes. The hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal changes increase the chance of developing depression. Understanding the signs of depression can help you recognize the signs that it is happening to someone you care about. Women are more likely to suffer the following symptoms: 1. Feelings of sadness and despair Women who are depressed often feel despair or sad. Sometimes the feelings are just “normal” — they go along with the fluctuations and ups and downs of life. If they persist or become extreme, it is a sign that you need professional assistance. Women who are pregnant or who just had a baby may suffer from the “baby blues.” If the symptoms are more than mild and last for a few weeks it's crucial to see a doctor. This could indicate that you might be suffering from postpartum depression or major depression with symptoms that are peripartum. Perimenopausal Depression can occur when hormone levels change. Symptoms can include abnormal periods, problems sleeping mood swings, and hot flashes. These symptoms could be more severe than those that are typically associated with premenstrual (PMS) and include the tenderness of breasts and bloating. They can also include disturbances in appetite, irritability, and anger. Treatments include talk therapy including in-person or virtual counseling, antidepressant medication, and brain stimulation techniques such as ECT and TMS. It is important to remember that depression is treatable and even the most serious cases can be improved with the appropriate treatment. 2. Loss of interest or enjoyment in things you used to enjoy The loss of pleasure in activities you normally enjoy can be a sign of depression. This could be a decreased desire to spend time with friends and a decline in reading, or a decrease in interest in hobbies you once loved. It's important that you speak to a medical professional whenever you notice any changes. Depression can cause people to lose interest in things they normally do, and this may make them feel as if there is no reason to keep going. These feelings can lead to a loss of energy which can make depression symptoms worse. Depression can be a problem for everyone but women are more likely to suffer from it than men. It is likely due to social, biological and hormone factors that are specific to women. Women also tend to seek treatment for depression more often than men do. Men may experience the same symptoms as women, like irritation or a loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy doing however, research has shown that they are less likely to recognize the signs and seek help for them. 3. Feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy Although everyone feels down or sad, feelings of depression are more intense and may last longer. Depression can also make people feel inadequate or even guilty. They may even blame themselves for their problems. They may also have thoughts of suicide. These signs are more prevalent in women than men. Women are more likely than men to seek treatment for depression. This is also due to the fact that women tend to have serious or chronic health conditions that can make depression more serious. Women can suffer from depression following an uneasy pregnancy or childbirth or after a breakup a relationship. This is called perinatal depression. Women are also more prone to postpartum depression which affects the mother after the birth. They can also be affected by premenstrual dysphoric disorders (PMDD) which is which is a more severe form PMS that causes intense mood changes before their periods. It is essential to recognize that depression is a real medical condition that needs to be treated with seriousness. It is not a sign of weakness or something you have to “get over.” Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or medication, can help. 4. It is difficult to concentrate or make decisions. Depression can make it difficult to take decisions or think clearly. It can also affect your ability to concentrate or complete simple tasks like cooking, cleaning or getting dressed. Everyone has moments of sadness however, if feelings of despair or sadness become overwhelming and affect your daily functioning and your health, a doctor should be contacted for help. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression due to their different coping mechanisms and may encounter more stressful life events and changes, like the stress of a relationship or marriage as well as a miscarriage, childbirth or financial difficulties. Women also have mood disorders that are linked to their menstrual cycle such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which can trigger extreme irritation and other symptoms during the week prior to when a woman experiences her menstrual cycle. Some women can also get menopausal depression, which is similar to PMDD but happens during the menopause transition. These conditions can be caused by stressors or hormonal changes, but they are also connected to a woman's position in her social and family group and the background of depression or family mental illness. 5. Over-sleeping or sleeping just click the up coming article who are depressed can be trouble sleeping. They may wake up frequently in the middle of the night or feel that they aren't getting enough rest. They might also have difficulty falling asleep or wake up early. These symptoms can cause fatigue, which can worsen depression. Studies have shown that women are at a greater risk for depression than men. This could be due to hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy and menopause, or because of socioeconomic factors that place women at greater risk. Depression can be treated by antidepressants, talking therapy (virtual in person, in person or online) as well as other treatments. These include techniques to stimulate the brain such as ECT and TMS. It is crucial to seek treatment in the event of symptoms that are severe or persist for weeks. You can talk to someone online or contact the suicide prevention hotline at 988. It is available 24/7. For local resources and links, click here. Finding help is the first step to feeling better. 6. Hot flashes or night sweats In the perimenopausal stage there are many women who experience hot flushes and night sweats. They can also occur at any time following menopause. Hot flashes and night sweats are symptoms of withdrawal from estrogen. This occurs when the ovaries cease to produce hormones (menopause). They can be caused by a number of causes that include hormonal changes during menopausal and puberty, pregnancy or following surgery like the bilateral oophorectomy procedure to stop cancer. Some medications can cause them, like birth control pills, NSAIDs and hormone replacement therapy. Researchers have discovered that depression is twice as common in women as it is for men. They also identified many contributing factors. These include hormonal changes in the reproductive system and a different female response to stress, and the cultural pressures that make women more vulnerable to depression. For instance, women tend to be more likely to think when they are depressed and this can increase the duration of their symptoms. Women are more tired than men after an episode of depression. The feeling of fatigue is another symptom of depression and is referred to as anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in things that were once enjoyable. 7. Weight loss and loss of appetite Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men, even although it can affect everyone. Often, this is due to the different ways women and men express their emotions and react to stressors. Women are more likely than men to cry, or feel vulnerable emotionally, while men may be more likely to express anger or be irritable. Additionally, women are more likely to seek treatment for depression than men. Fatigue is a frequent manifestation of depression. This is because depression can cause the brain to stop the production of epinephrine. This hormone is responsible for creating feelings of energy. This can lead to a decrease in appetite, which can lead to weight loss or increase. Other factors that can cause depression in women include hormonal changes that occur during puberty, menopausal and prenatal changes, as well as the past experiences of sexual or physical abuse. Women who are depressed are more likely to suffer from eating disorders, and a lot have unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or drug misuse. This can make depression more difficult to treat. 8. Anhedonia While depression can affect people of any gender, women tend to exhibit more depression-related symptoms than men. This could be because women are more likely than men to seek treatment or to report their symptoms in a different way. Anhedonia is the absence of pleasure or enjoyment. It is common in people who are depressed and can be a sign of severe depression or bipolar disorder. People with anhedonia typically have difficulty identifying things they enjoy or finding fulfillment in pursuits such as hobbies, work or relationships. Many women experience anhedonia during periods of hormonal changes, like during pregnancy or following childbirth (perinatal depression) or prior to and following menstrual flow (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also known as PMDD). These types of depression are sometimes treated with counseling or medication. Women are also more prone to psychological factors that cause depression, like negative body image or stress. They are also more likely to dwell on their negative emotions and this can lead to a prolonged depression. This is why it's crucial to keep your mind off of it when you're suffering from depression or seek out professional help.