Symptoms and signs of depression in women are about the same as those explained in this post on depression symptoms with a few differences.
The symptoms and feelings in women, however, last longer than in men, and risks of recurrence are also higher. However, there are a few warning signs experienced exclusively by women.
As the statistics declare, women are twice as prone to develop clinical depression than men. And, there are reasons for this.
The majority of the 15 million people who experience feelings of depression in the United States each year are women. One out of eight women is likely to have an episode of major depression at some point in her life.
Nearly two-thirds of them remain undiagnosed and do not receive treatment making the condition worse. Recognizing this mental disorder from its symptoms and signs will be the first step toward recovery.
Unrecognized and untreated depression can make you sink further into the dark hole and will make the symptoms spiral and increase in severity.
What is depression?
Depression is a serious and persistent mood disorder, which can make the woman feel consistently sad, hopeless, helpless, and worthless. It is a medical illness that can be mild, moderate, or severe and can be successfully treated.
A prominent sign of female depression is a feeling of negative attitude and loss of belief that she can achieve or solve any problem.
This greatly affects all the members of the family as, without a doubt, the woman is the epicenter of the whole family. Seeing a woman with depression will make anyone feel sorry for her and her family.
What are the symptoms of depression in women?
Explained below are some signs and symptoms in women that present due to depression. Not all of them may be present and they vary from woman to woman. Even the frequency and duration of the symptoms can differ.
Sadness and anxiety are accompanied by an empty feeling which is persistent
Restlessness and irritability
Excessive crying. This sign of depression in women is fairly common.
Sleeping excessively or less
A pessimistic attitude accompanied by a feeling of hopelessness, unworthiness, and helplessness
Loss of interest in any activity including sex, sports, hobbies, or going out with friends
Not wanting to go to work
Decreased energy causing fatigue and excessive sleeping. Vice versa, depression can also lead to insomnia, which can make the disease worse.
Cannot concentrate, remember things or make decisions
Thoughts of wanting to commit suicide and even attempting suicide
Physical symptoms such as a headache, abdominal symptoms, and pain, which are persistent and do not respond to treatment
Other conditions that can co-exist with depression in women
Many women with depression develop certain other symptoms of mental conditions, which also require treatment. Such conditions are:
Anxiety. This is the most common condition which can coexist with depression in women. Common symptoms of anxiety include nervousness, tenseness, restlessness, rapid heart rate, fast breathing, trembling, muscle twitching, and inability to concentrate.
Eating disorders. Women with depression often develop symptoms of eating disorders like anorexia (loss of appetite) and bulimia (binge eating or excessive eating).
Alcohol abuse or drug abuse. Some depressed women turn to alcohol or illegal drugs for seeking relief from feeling depressed. However, this only worsens depression and makes treatment more difficult.
