Here are the facts about depression in women: In the U.S., about 15 million people experience depression each year.
The majority of them are women. Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds do not get the help they need.
Depression in women is very common.
In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men.
Up to one in four women is likely to have an episode of major depression at some point in life.
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can be mild to moderate.
What are the symptoms of depression in women?
Symptoms of depression in women include:
1. Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
3. Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying
4. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism
5. Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking
6. Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
7. Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"
8. Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
9. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
10. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
5 or more of the above along with continuous feeling of sadness, gives a very high possibility of clinical depression and warrants immediate psychiatric evaluation.
Why is depression in women more common than depression in men?
Before adolescence, the rate of depression is about the same in girls and boys. However, with the onset of puberty, a girl's risk of developing depression increases dramatically to twice that of boys.
Some experts believe that the increased chance of depression in women may be related to changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman's life.
These changes are evident during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as after giving birth or experiencing a miscarriage.
In addition, the hormone fluctuations that occur with each month's menstrual cycle probably contribute to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD -- a severe syndrome marked especially by depression, anxiety, and mood swings that occurs the week before menstruation and interferes with normal functioning of daily life.
What increases the chances of depression in women?
1. Family history of mood disorders
2. History of mood disorders in early reproductive years
3. Loss of a parent before age 10
4. Loss of social support system or the threat of such a loss
5. Ongoing psychological and social stress, such as loss of a job, relationship stress, separation or divorce
6. Physical or sexual abuse as a child
7. Use of certain medications / drugs
8. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby.
9. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter.
How to Cope?
1. Eat healthfully and exercise regularly.
2. Engage in a creative outlet or hobby that fosters a sense of achievement.
3. Find a self-calming skill to practice -- such as yoga, meditation, or slow, deep breathing.
4. Keep your bedroom cool to prevent night sweats and disturbed sleep.
5. Seek emotional support from friends, family members, or a professional counselor when needed.
6. Stay connected with your family and community and nurture your friendships.
7. Take medicines, vitamins, and minerals as prescribed by your doctor.
Thanks for reading, your queries are welcome @-
Dr.Hemant Mittal
(Psychiatrist,Motivational Writer/Speaker and Counselor)
email - eksoch@gmail.com
website - http://mindmantra.in/
personal consultation @-
address- Mind Mantra wellness clinic
Shop 15, shreeji plaza, next to ice n spice restaurant,
opposite seawoods station,
seawoods (east)
Navi Mumbai - 400706
The majority of them are women. Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds do not get the help they need.
Depression in women is very common.
In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men.
Up to one in four women is likely to have an episode of major depression at some point in life.
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can be mild to moderate.
What are the symptoms of depression in women?
Symptoms of depression in women include:
1. Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
3. Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying
4. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism
5. Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking
6. Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
7. Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"
8. Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
9. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
10. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
5 or more of the above along with continuous feeling of sadness, gives a very high possibility of clinical depression and warrants immediate psychiatric evaluation.
Why is depression in women more common than depression in men?
Before adolescence, the rate of depression is about the same in girls and boys. However, with the onset of puberty, a girl's risk of developing depression increases dramatically to twice that of boys.
Some experts believe that the increased chance of depression in women may be related to changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman's life.
These changes are evident during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as after giving birth or experiencing a miscarriage.
In addition, the hormone fluctuations that occur with each month's menstrual cycle probably contribute to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD -- a severe syndrome marked especially by depression, anxiety, and mood swings that occurs the week before menstruation and interferes with normal functioning of daily life.
What increases the chances of depression in women?
1. Family history of mood disorders
2. History of mood disorders in early reproductive years
3. Loss of a parent before age 10
4. Loss of social support system or the threat of such a loss
5. Ongoing psychological and social stress, such as loss of a job, relationship stress, separation or divorce
6. Physical or sexual abuse as a child
7. Use of certain medications / drugs
8. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby.
9. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter.
How to Cope?
1. Eat healthfully and exercise regularly.
2. Engage in a creative outlet or hobby that fosters a sense of achievement.
3. Find a self-calming skill to practice -- such as yoga, meditation, or slow, deep breathing.
4. Keep your bedroom cool to prevent night sweats and disturbed sleep.
5. Seek emotional support from friends, family members, or a professional counselor when needed.
6. Stay connected with your family and community and nurture your friendships.
7. Take medicines, vitamins, and minerals as prescribed by your doctor.
Thanks for reading, your queries are welcome @-
Dr.Hemant Mittal
(Psychiatrist,Motivational Writer/Speaker and Counselor)
email - eksoch@gmail.com
website - http://mindmantra.in/
personal consultation @-
address- Mind Mantra wellness clinic
Shop 15, shreeji plaza, next to ice n spice restaurant,
opposite seawoods station,
seawoods (east)
Navi Mumbai - 400706
No comments:
Post a Comment