Signs And Symptoms of Depression
Women and Depression
Women and Depression
Women are twice more likely to develop depression than men. Depression is not some mental condition that has similar symptoms for all gender. There are many reasons why women develop this mental condition. It can be because of the hormones that women have, or it can be because of the stress women have and the social pressures that women have to succumb to.
Women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome have more chances of becoming depressed. PMS is caused by the surge of hormones in a woman’s body during her menstrual cycle. Oftentimes, depression happens a week before the menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy is another cause of depression. Because of the onset of hormones during this time, many women develop depression. Some of the issues that may cause pregnant women to be depressed are miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy and infertility.
Perimenopause or the transition between menopause and regular menstrual cycle can also heighten the risks because of the hormones fluctuating.
New mothers can also experience baby blues or post-partum depression, still because of the hormones during pregnancy. . Rape victims or victims of domestic violence are most like to experience this condition.
Women who are depressed can exhibit these symptoms: changes in sleep, appetite, weight and movement. They may also experience feelings of hopelessness and decreased energy.
There are factors that might make a woman more prone to depression. Genetic predisposition towards depression can be a factor. A woman who is having social and psychological stress may also experience this. Women who undergo gonadotropin treatments may also feel this.
The symptoms are more apparent in women. There is loss in sexual activity, suicidal tendencies and changes in mood and lack of energy or fatigue. There is a variety of treatments that women can use. Psychotherapy is an effective way to combat depression. Counselling is another.
Diagnosing Depression, The Signs and Symptoms
How to Diagnose Depression – Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a very serious illness and can have tragic consequences if left untreated. It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression so that help can be sought quickly. Here are some aspects to consider when it comes to diagnosing depression.
Physical signs
There is a range of physical signs that may be present in people suffering from depression. The most common is weight loss. Depressed people will often lose a large amount of weight in the space of a short time because they have no desire to eat. In the minority of cases people will overeat in order to feel less depressed and they will pick up weight as a result. Other signs include restlessness, motor slowing, sleeplessness and lack of energy.
Psychological and emotional signs
Two of the big psychological signs of depression include lack of interest in activities once deemed pleasurable, and a generally depressed mood for most of the day. Another sign in this case is the inability to concentrate or a sense that one’s thinking is slow and hampered. Other signs include feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate and excessive guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide.
Professional diagnosis
Many signs and symptoms are noticeable by the family but it is only really associated with depression once a professional has enquired about it. There are different types of depression, and while some types are “normal” responses to life events, there are pathological variants as well. This can only be diagnosed by a trained professional. The course of action then will depend on the cause of the depression and the extent to which it is present.
These are just some of the things to consider when it comes to the signs and symptoms of depression. While it is useful to know what they are, it is also great to understand what can and should be done about it.
