Depression is a serious issue in today’s world. As per studies, women suffer from it more than men. While this is often associated with minor mood swings and hormonal imbalances, the real reasons can be much more severe. Due to the taboo surrounding mental health, women for long have stopped themselves from stating that they need help.
But today, the world is much more open, and thankfully, women and men can say, ‘I am depressed’ and get relevant help. The topic is still quite unexplored and confusing for many. To make it easier to understand, this article talks about the different signs and types of depression in women.
Identifying Depression
To properly treat depression, it is important to identify its symptoms. Many times, people mistake minor mood swings or sadness for depression or vice versa. However, it is much more than that. You might often have thoughts like ‘I am sad’ but might not be able to find an exact reason behind this sadness. This is a form of depression.
It is this persistent state of being low that affects both your mental and physical health. Things that interested you before seem pointless. You will be feeling down or low on energy to execute even basic tasks. All of this indicates towards being depressed. Some other signs of being depressed are:
- Significant changes in your sleep pattern
- Fatigue or unexplained pain
- Problems concentrating or remembering things
- Changes in appetite leading to significant weight loss or weight gain
- Physical aches and pains
- Having thoughts of suicide
Women-Specific Types of Depression
While depression affects both men and women, there are certain types that only occur in women. The following sections explain them in detail.
1. Premenstrual Issues
Menstruation is a biological occurrence that every woman goes through. Premenstrual syndrome or PMS can lead to a woman feeling depressed. The common signs of PMS include irritability, bloating, headache, anxiety, and serious mood fluctuations. Some women have severe PMS symptoms that affect their everyday lives, including jobs, studies, and relationships.
This is when PMS becomes Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD. It can lead to a feeling of deep depression. If you suffer from PMDD, then it is important to undergo depression treatment to come out of it. While the exact relation between PMS and depression is not clear, changes in progesterone, estrogen, and other hormones can hamper the brain chemicals that control your mood, like serotonin.
2. Postpartum Depression
A lot of new mothers have feelings of sadness or irritation and even anger after giving birth. If these feelings do not go away after a couple of weeks, then it indicates postpartum depression. It is a serious condition and requires proper care and attention. It affects almost 10% to 15% of women. The major signs of postpartum depression are:
- Crying more often
- Low self-esteem
- A feeling of being a bad mother
- Anxiety
- Feeling numb
- Trouble sleeping
- Problems with daily functioning
- Not being able to care for your baby
- Thoughts of harming your baby
- Suicidal thoughts
3. Menopausal Depression
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life that marks the end of their menstrual cycle. Many women undergo depression during the period of entering menopause. This stage is called perimenopause, and during this time, hormones undergo massive fluctuations. Reduction in the levels of estrogen after menopause or during an early menopause can also lead to depression.
Other Factors that Contribute to Depression
There are some other common issues that can lead to feeling depressed. This includes challenges in the workplace and the inability to achieve career goals. Excess workload at home or in a professional space can also lead to depression. Other factors like some form of dissatisfaction in relations are also causes of depression.
Associated Conditions of Depression
A few other mental health conditions arise if depression goes untreated for long. These are:
- Anxiety: It commonly occurs along with depression.
- Eating Disorders: There’s a proper connection between depression in women and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
- Drug or Alcohol Abuse: Many women with depression also develop some unhealthy substance use or dependence.
How to Come Out Of Depression
Identifying and accepting that you have this issue is the first step toward overcoming depression. A few simple steps to follow every day are:
- Stay in touch with friends
- Try and sleep early
- Eat a healthy and balanced meal
- Partake in exercise or some form of activity
It is recommended to seek professional help and undergo counselling and treatment to fully recover from this issue. Depression is natural and can happen to anyone, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember, it is only by accepting that you can recover.
In case a female loved one, family member, or a friend is dealing with any form of depression and you would like to seek professional advice from an expert, please do not delay and contact Athena OKAS now. Call us at +91 92897 30444 or drop us an email at info@athenaokas.com and one of our representative will get in touch with you shortly.