What are the Effects of Depression on Women?

a woman sitting on a sofa while she is hiding her face due to frustration

Depression

The normal reaction of any person in difficult times is being sad himself. This sadness goes away as time passes. And depression is not something to feel low about something that did not happen as per your thoughts. It is actually a mood disorder that can cause severe symptoms as it can drastically affect how you think, feel, and handle your daily activities such as eating, sleeping, or working. Depression found its presence more among women than in men due to certain important reasons like some hormonal, biological, and various social factors that are only specific to women.

How Does Depression Affect Women?

It is a severe mood affecting disorder that happens without any known cause which hampers your daily life to a much greater extent. And the most important point to consider here is that it is not at all easy to recognize the symptoms of depression and offer proper treatment. In such circumstances, you may not even realize for a moment that you are dealing with the most infectious disease of the century until you focus on the symptoms that you are going through.

Symptoms of Depression in Female

  • Unable to focus
  • Not able to enjoy any activity even that was once included in your hobbies list.
  • Start losing your appetite.
  • Losing  weight abnormally  at one time
  • Feeling exhausted, weak, or tired with no clear cause
  • Feeling of guilt
  • Feeling of unworthiness.
  • feeling irritable or anxious 
  • Losing hope for the future
  • Unable to take a nap
  • Crying without any specific reason
  • Mood swings
  • Thoughts about death

What can cause depression in women?

In women, depression is due to various factors like

  • Biological change

  • Some major trauma

  • Psychological disturbance

  • Pregnancy

  • Anxiety

  • Irregular periods

  • Birth of a child

PMS and PMDD

PMS is actually Premenstrual syndrome that usually happens right before your period starts. Some studies found that changes in the level of your hormones can influence certain chemicals such as serotonin which contribute to your mood.

Some PMS symptoms which are temporary are as follows

  • Anxiety

  • Nausea

  • Mood swings

  • Frequent anger

  • Feeling depressed

If you are exactly sure of your period dates then it becomes really easy to figure out whether the symptoms are of PMDD or are linked to PMS.

Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression is severe in its occurrence. It comes with the delivery period of a woman just before and then the period follows it. When this condition of depression arises just after the delivery then it is known as postpartum depression.

The level of hormones in the body of pregnant women fluctuates instantly. Other symptoms may include suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping, or a feeling that you can not take care of your baby or of yourself.

Perimenopausal Depression

When a woman enters her menopausal stage, then those symptoms of depression is called perimenopausal depression. At such point in time, major hormonal changes occur when you are entering into the Perimenopause stage than eventually the menopause stage. The disturbance in your hormone level is also an indication of the onset of depression.

Some General causes

It does not limit itself to any age or any gender but it is so prevailing these times that it can catch you in your healthiest condition. Still, we don't have enough data in support of the exact causes of depression.

Some signs are:

  • A major seasonal depressive disorder which is known by the name seasonal affective disorder is the most common during the season of winter.
  • Thyroid problem
  • Chemical or hormonal imbalances such as some neurotransmitters or serotonin.
  • Family history of having depression 
  • Some traumatic events of life like the end of some precious relationship or the death of any loved ones
  • Some mental, physical or emotional abuse by spouse, family, or friends
  • Some long-term illnesses distract you from following your daily routine.

How To Overcome Depression?

When your body says that it is time to take help from the doctor you must follow your intuition. As these situations will further get you into a black hole of uncertain things. Another effective method to cure such symptoms is to talk about your feelings with someone you consider close to you. In this way, you can become more practical in life and live it to the fullest.

You should take at least 30 minutes of sun exposure for your daily needs of vitamin D that can help you cope with your depression. Some mainstream Research suggests that lacking vitamin D in your body can increase the risk of depression. 

Exercising daily is another very effective method to deal with anxiety and mood swings. It lets go of your energy in a most positive way and can help you feel calm and more composed.

Try to be in the company of the most enthusiastic and positive people so that you can benefit from their energy. Such positive feelings help you to encounter your symptoms more effectively.

Take Away

If the symptoms do not fade away on their own you should see a doctor. As sometimes negativity rises to such a level that alone you can not deal with it at that time the most important thing to consider is to reach out to some professional help. Do remember this fact that there is always a cure to everything; it just needs consistency and focus that will lead you through it. Always try to involve yourself in the most creative and positive things and always treat your life as a precious blessing from the almighty and make efforts to be worth living.

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