Signs of Depression in Women You Should Watch For

Feelings of sadness are a normal reaction to difficulties in life. It is when that sadness becomes all-encompassing that a red flag may be raised. Depression can hover over every area of a woman’s life. From how you think to how you handle daily activities like eating, sleeping and working, depression can cover your entire world with a thick cloud of dark, dense fog. Depression can deprive you of energy and any feelings of hope, leaving you feeling empty and helpless.

Women are almost twice as likely to be affected by depression as men. Some professionals suggest that perhaps this is because women have a larger number of contributing factors in life that are a result of the many roles they may carry: wife, mother, friend, caregiver, employee, healer and so on. Each role in and of itself is quite complex and can cause many ups and downs. Add a number of these roles to your repertoire and your “downs” may have a harder time finding a way back “up,” which may lead you to reach out for help. Others suggest it could be due to biological explanations including stronger genetic predispositions or fluctuating hormone levels.

According to the World Health Organization, about 350 million people suffer from depression across the globe. National Mental Health Association states that about one in every eight women experience symptoms of depression at some point during their life. Less than half of those with depression receive adequate treatment. Because the prevalence of depression is so high and severe, it is important to be aware of the top signs of depression. The first step toward fighting any disorder is learning about its symptoms.

Signs of Depression in Women

Depression can be mild to moderate, with symptoms including little appetite, difficulty sleeping, lack of interest in daily activities and recurring thoughts of suicide or death. In addition to these overwhelming feelings, several other depression symptoms exist.

Feelings of Guilt, Worthlessness and Hopelessness

Guilt, lack of self-confidence and a bleak outlook are trademark clinical symptoms of depression. Some women may exhibit a heightened sense of guilt, blaming themselves excessively for mistakes they have made. Women with depression often blame themselves more often than others.

Anxiety

Women who suffer from depression are prone to anxiety and fear. Anxiety is more than simply feeling nervous that something has happened or is about to occur. Anxiety disorders ferociously interfere with a person’s peace of mind, attacking them to the point of obsessing over the smallest things and leading to the point of paranoia. An anxiety attack can send a woman into a deeper hole of darkness, making it difficult to climb out.

Isolation

Some women who suffer from depression symptoms find social activity to be overwhelming and seek isolation as a result. Isolation or avoidance of social activity and social contact is part of a condition medically known as adhedonia, which is the loss of experiencing pleasure in activities that were once pleasurable. This is a central characteristic of depression. Adhedonia is one of the earliest indicators of the disorder.

Fatigue

According to a study published in Psychiatry in 2004, fatigue is another commonly occurring depression symptom in women. One study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology in 2000 found that 73 percent of the 78,463 respondents reported tiredness as a major depression symptom.

This is how fatigue is a leading depression symptom: The neurotransmitter in our brain known as serotonin is responsible for creating feelings of happiness. Epinephrine, another neurotransmitter, is responsible for creating energy. In clinical depression, serotonin levels produced by the brain are suppressed, resulting in lower production of epinephrine. This process leads to chronic fatigue.

Irritability and Anger

Along with overwhelming feelings of despair, another set of emotions are characteristic of depression – irritability and anger. Women with depression may seem to fall apart over what seems to be the most trivial of circumstances. With depression, anything can trigger an outburst.

According to recent studies, symptoms of irritability and anger during depression may be clinical markers for a more severe and complex form of major depressive disorder.

What Increases the Chances of Depression in Women?

Several factors increase the risk of depression in women including biological, interpersonal, personality and psychological factors.

Some experts believe women have an increased chance of depression due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives. From puberty to pregnancy, menstruation and menopause, women face many hormone fluctuations that could contribute to the development of depression.

Women who juggle work with raising a family, those who are single parents or women who suffer more stress as a result of their daily lives are at a heightened risk of developing depression.

Other factors that may contribute to the development of depression in women include:

• History of mood disorders in early reproductive years
• Family history of mood disorders
• Ongoing social or psychological stress
• Loss of a parent before the age of 10
• Use of certain medications
• Physical or sexual abuse as a child
• Loss of a social support system

How Is Depression in Women Treated?

Although depression is a pervasive and often debilitating condition, it is treatable with the right intervention and support. Early intervention is crucial and the sooner someone seeks treatment after noticing the signs of depression in women, the more effective care will be. 

Most treatment for depression involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication with options for more intensive approaches to care. Treatment is not one-size-fits-all, though, so effective care always considers each individual’s needs.

What are some options for depression treatment?

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is one of the two primary components of most depression treatment programs. It involves counseling or talk therapy which helps people shift their thought patterns and change their behavior over time. Some common therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. These evidence-based approaches to care are shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and lead to improved functioning over time.

Medication

Medication is the second of two main components of a depression treatment program. Antidepressants are the types of medications most commonly used to treat depression. They function by changing how the brain produces chemicals related to mood or stress. These medications are not a “cure” to depression but they make symptoms easier to manage while incorporating skills and techniques learned during therapy.

Antidepressants are also not a quick fix. Most antidepressant medications take at least 2 weeks to take effect with some taking as long as 8 weeks. They commonly cause a variety of side effects including sleep problems, changes in appetite, and difficulties concentrating, especially during the first few weeks.

Finding the right antidepressant medication should only be done under the supervision of your psychiatrist or physician. They can monitor your symptoms and side effects to help you determine which medication is best suited for your needs.

Mental Health Treatment

Mental health treatment programs are a more comprehensive and involved approach to care. People struggling with severe debilitating depression will find the support and structure they need to manage their symptoms and learn to live with their condition. There are a few levels of care depending on the needs of each person seeking help.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is the most in-depth approach to mental health treatment for depression. It involves full-time treatment hours during the week as well as a residential component in the evenings. People in inpatient treatment reside at the facility throughout their time in the program and then transition to a less intensive level of care.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs are an outpatient approach to mental healthcare. They provide fewer hours of treatment during the week which allows people to balance their treatment program with their existing responsibilities. Some people find the support they need in an intensive outpatient program while others transition to an outpatient program after completing an inpatient program.

Despite these downcast feelings, depression is treatable. If you or a woman in your life is struggling with symptoms of depression, know that there are things you can do to make yourself feel better. The devastating hold of depression does not have to encompass you forever – there is hope. Help is available to lift the burden of depression from you. Reach out to a caring mental health professional today to help you get started on the path to true recovery.