Depression can affect overall health and lead to poor quality of life. It is also considered a pervasive mood disorder which is a serious condition. Depression makes you feel alone in the whole world, causing you to feel helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, etc.
Women are at risk of developing depression more than men. The severity of the symptoms depends on different factors.
Do you know you can identify if someone has depression? And YES you must know that because often depression happens to be a silent killer.
So how to identify if a woman has depression?
Well, the following section can help you know.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Depression in Females
Depression needs a proper treatment plan as it can get worse and bring on more severe symptoms. Women may experience the following symptoms of depression:
- Feeling of guilty
- Thought of suicide
- Memory problems
- Unable to concentrate
- Persistent empty and sad mood
- The feeling of being worthless
- Losing or increasing appetite
- Low energy level or fatigue
- Persistent physical symptoms, like headache, chronic pain, etc. (which do not respond to any of the treatments)
- Trouble in making a decision
- Interest loss in activities once you find pleasing
- Sleeping too much or poor sleep pattern
What is the Reason behind Depression is More Common in Women than Men?
At the initial state of puberty, the risk of depression increases in girls to twice that of boys. The reason behind depression in women is the changes in hormone levels. A woman experiences all these hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Some women who have miscarriages also experience hormonal changes which lead to depression.
A week before menstruation brings on different symptoms, which are known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is also marked by some symptoms, such as anxiety, mood swings, depression, etc.
There are some other factors as well which can contribute to increasing the chances of depression in women.
What are the Risk Factors of Depression in Women?
Experts from Jinnah Hospital Lahore say that some biological factors are also responsible for increasing the risk of depression in women. It is also associated with genetics and reproductive health issues. Sometimes, women develop depression due to their personalities and psychological characteristics.
Being alone or engaging in one activity with another can also raise mental health concerns. Women who have the following factors common are at risk of depression:
- Sexual or physical abuse as a child
- Parent loss at a younger age
- Had threat or social support loss
- Medications intake
- Social or psychological stress
- Family history of mood disorders
- Had mood disorders in initial reproductive years
Depression can be hereditary as it shows symptoms between the ages of fifteen and thirty. Women are more prone to genetic-based depression.
During pregnancy, women experience depression if they have marital conflict, are uncertain about the pregnancy, history of depression or PMDD, are alone, do not have much social support, etc. Depression can affect the pregnancy and make a woman cause substance use later, which can affect the bonding between a baby and a woman.
Is There Any Different in Depression in Women From Men?
Yes, it is a fact that depression in women is different from men, such as:
Women get more suicidal thoughts and feel more guilty than men. If we see the reports, women were more in suicide cases as compared to men. In females, depression is associated with anxiety disorders. They also experience phobic symptoms and eating disorders.
How to Treat Depression Symptoms in Women?
There are different methods to deal with depression. Some doctors suggest medications such as antidepressants or psychotherapy. Family doctors provide very effective treatment when it comes to depression. Sometimes, health experts find the cause of depression in women, such as PMS or PMDD, which need proper treatment. Mental health specialists also help cope with mental health issues.
University-affiliated programs are also beneficial for reducing the symptoms of depression in women. Being surrounded by your loved ones and sharing stuff that causes loneliness is also a good way to cope with depression.
Read More: Premenstrual Syndrome PMS
The Bottom Line!
Women should get medical help because depression is a real medical condition and needs proper treatment. The above symptoms indicate depression, and if it is not treated at the right time, it may lead to severe conditions. You can also consult with Dr. Hafiz M.Imtiaz Afzal for depression treatment as he is the best psychiatrist with years of experience.
