Listed below are the main points about depression symptoms in women. In the U.S. roughly 15 million men and women suffer from depression annually. A large majority of them are women. The fact is, nearly two-thirds are not getting the support they must have
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Depression symptoms in women are very common. In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men. Up to one in four women is likely to have an episode of major depression at some point in life.
Just what is depression?
Depression is a substantial and pervasive mood disorder. It results in sensations of dismay, hopelessness, helplessness, and questioning your self worth. Depression might be minor to medium with indication of apathy, reduced desires for food, problems sleeping, bad self-esteem, and slight lethargy. Or it might be much more serious.
Depression symptoms in women
Symptoms of depression in women include:
• persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood, stress
• loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
• restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying
• feelings of remorse, worthlessness, being helpless, hopelessness, cynicism
• sleeping an excessive amount or not enough, early-morning waking up
• appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• decreased vitality, lethargy
• thoughts of dying or committing suicide, or suicide efforts
• difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
Why are depression symptoms in women more prevalent compared to men?
Prior to adolescence, the rates of depression is around the same in both girls and boys. Yet, with the oncoming of puberty, a girl's chance of acquiring depression will increase significantly to two times that of boys.
Authorities think the higher probability of depression symptoms in women could be linked to a change in hormone levels that take place in the course of a woman's life. These kinds of changes are noticeable during puberty, becoming pregnant, and menopause and also after the birth of a child or having a miscarriage. Furthermore, the hormone variations that take place with each month's menstrual cycle almost certainly are a factor in premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and also premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD -- a critical disorder marked specifically by depression, nervousness, and swift changes in moods that takes place the week before menstruation and inhibits ordinary functioning of day to day life.
What heightens the likelihood of depression in women?
As stated by the National Institutes of Health, variables that expand the probability of depression in women involve reproductive, inherited, as well as other biological issues; cultural factors; and specific emotional and temperament traits. Furthermore, women juggling employment together with raising youngsters . and women that are single parents expeience more stress that can provoke warning signs of depression. Other elements that can help to increase risk include:
• family record of mood symptoms
• history of mood issues at the begining of reproductive years
• loss of a parent before age 10
• loss of personal support system as well as the chance of such a loss
• ongoing emotional and personal tension, like the loss of a job, partnership stress, separation or divorce
• physical or sexual mistreatment growing up
• use of specified medications
Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter.
If you suspect that you, or a loved one, may be suffering from depression don't hesitate to see your doctor as soon as you can. As serious a situation as depression can be, it does respond well to treatment. Don't be part of the more than half that don't seek help. There is no reason you can't feel better very soon.
Discover more about depression symptoms in women and also in men. Check-out Control Stress and skim though our a great many articles on stress reduction, depression and anxiety, and sleep issues.
