What is depression?
Feeling sad is a
normal reaction to difficult times in life. Depression is different—it is a
mood disorder that can affect how a person feels, thinks, and acts. Read this
fact sheet to learn about depression in women and ways to get help.
Depression is a medical condition
Depression is a
common but serious mood disorder. Research suggests that depression is caused by a
combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and
psychological factors .
All people can feel
depressed, but the disorder is especially common among women due to unique biological, hormonal, and
social experiences.
Depression is not
brought on by anything a woman has or has not done, and it is not something she
can “snap out” of. Most women need treatment and natural remedies to feel better.
Depression has signs and symptoms to
look out for
Sadness is only one
part of depression. Other common symptoms include:
- Anxiety or
irritability
- Feelings of hopelessness,
worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest
or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Fatigue, lack of
energy, or feeling
slowed down
- Difficulty
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Changes in sleep
or appetite
- Physical aches
or pains that do not have a clear physical cause
- Thoughts of
death or suicide or suicide attempts
These symptoms can
make it hard to think, work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. Talk to a
health care therapist if you experience symptoms most of the day, nearly every
day, for at least 2 weeks. Depression does not look the same for everyone; some
women may experience many symptoms, and others may experience only a few.
Communicating well with a health care
provider can improve your
care.
Certain types of depression are unique to women
Certain types of
depression occur at specific stages of a woman’s life. Pregnancy, the postpartum period, the
menstrual cycle, and perimenopause are associated with physical and hormonal changes that can bring on a depressive episode
in some women.
- Premenstrual
dysphoric disorder is a more intense form of premenstrual syndrome,
or PMS, that occurs in the weeks before menstruation. The disorder causes
severe symptoms, such as depressed mood, anger or irritability, suicidal
thoughts, appetite changes, bloating, breast tenderness, and joint or
muscle pain.
- Perinatal
depression occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. It is more
than the “baby blues” many new moms experience after giving birth. Women
with perinatal depression feel extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that
may make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, including caring for
themselves or others.
- Perimenopausal
depression affects some women during the transition to menopause.
Whereas abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and hot flashes
are common during the menopause transition, more extreme feelings of
irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment may be signs of
depression.
You can get help for depression.
Even the most severe
depression can be treated. Common treatments are natural antidepressant products , talk therapy (virtual or in person),
or a combination of medication and therapy.
There is no
“one-size-fits-all” for treatment. It may take trial and error to find the best
one for you. A health care provider can explain the different options and help
you choose the best treatment based on your symptoms. With help, you can feel
better.
How to cope with depression
Try these coping
strategies if you're feeling depressed.
Stay in touch
Don't withdraw from life. Socialising can
improve your mood. Keeping in touch with friends and family means you
have someone to talk to when you feel low.
Be more active
Take up some form of exercise. There's evidence
that exercise can help lift your mood. If you haven't exercised for a
while, start gently by walking for 20 minutes every day.
Face your fears
Don't avoid the things you find difficult. When
people feel low or anxious, they sometimes avoid talking to other people. Some
people can lose their confidence in going out, driving or travelling.
If this starts to happen, facing up to these
situations will help them become easier.
Don't drink too much alcohol
For some people, alcohol can become a problem.
You may drink more than usual as a way of coping with or hiding your emotions,
or just to fill time. But alcohol won't help you solve your problems and could
also make you feel more depressed.
Try to eat a healthy diet
Some people don't feel like eating when they're
depressed and are at risk of becoming underweight. Others find comfort in food
and can put on excess weight.
Antidepressant can also affect your appetite.
If you're concerned about weight loss, weight
gain or how antidepressants are affecting your appetite, talk to your therapist.
Have a routine
When people feel down, they can get into poor
sleep patterns, staying up late and sleeping during the day. Try to get up at
your normal time and stick to your routine as much as possible.
Not having a routine can affect your
eating. Try to carry on cooking and eating regular meals.
Seeking help for depression
Get help if you're still feeling down or
depressed after a couple of weeks.
Treatments for depression include talking
therapies and natural health formulations.
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