Things to Know About Depression in Women

Feeling sad is a normal reaction to all the difficult phase of life. But most often, the sadness goes away with time. Depression is something different. It is a medical condition that may cause severe symptoms and have the power to affect how you think, feel, and handle everyday activities such as eating, sleeping, or working. It has been found that depression is more common in women as compared to men. This is likely due to certain hormonal, biological, and social factors unique to women.

As a matter of fact, about 15 million people in the U.S. experience depression every year. And the majority of them are women. In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men. Unfortunately enough, about two-thirds do not get the help that they require. Here are some of the things about depression in women you must know:

#1 Depression is a real medical condition and one just cannot ‘snap out’ of it

Depression is a common yet serious mood disorder. The symptoms of depression can interfere with your ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy your life. The research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of biological, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. And most of the people who suffer from this chronic mental illness need treatment to feel better. The friends and family members of someone with depression may try telling them to “just be positive”, or “snap out of it”. However, depression is not a sign of a person’s character flaw or weakness. The truth is that majority of people who experience depression need treatment to get out of this illness and feel better. In case you feel that you may have depression, start by making an appointment with a doctor or healthcare provider. The doctor or the health care provider will examine you and talk to you about the appropriate treatment options and the subsequent steps.

#2 Depression affects each woman differently

It is a fact not each woman who is suffering from depression experiences every symptom. Some women only experience a few symptoms. While others may have many. Depending on the individual and her particular illness, the frequency and the severity of symptoms will vary and how long they last differ as well. The symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness.

#3 It is possible to treat depression

It should be noted that even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. The condition is commonly treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. When these treatments do not succeed in reducing the symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies are the options to try.

#4 Certain types of depression are unique to women

The postpartum period, perimenopause, the menstrual cycle, and the pregnancy are all associated with dramatic physical as well as hormonal changes. The certain types of depression that occur at different stages of a woman’s life include- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Perinatal Depression, and Perimenopausal Depression.