Depression or major depressive disorder is a mental health disease characterized by the loss of interest in everyday living. If left untreated, it results in permanent sadness, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and much more which affects physical and social well-being, especially in women owing to the hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy. Opening up about mental health diseases like depression has always been a topic of disgrace in our society. Let’s break the stigma and raise awareness together by looking into the signs of depression in women.
A recent study in the British journal of psychiatry says that the ratio of female depression dominates by 2:1. The predominance of depression in women owes to the hormonal changes after puberty, during pregnancy, and during the menopausal phase.
Often, people confuse depression with sadness but depression is a disorder while sadness is just a temporary feeling. Depression is a chronic illness that disrupts everyday life activities, social behavior, and physical health as well.
To know the actual meaning of depression, you must know the warning signs of depression. Depression has its signs which when identified can help the sufferer seek guidance from a mental health doctor.
Read also: 7 Solutions For Depression
Signs of Depression In Women
Depression is characterized by the presence of some warning signs in women. The signs of depression are indicative of the serious disease that when left unheard, can lead to life-threatening chronic depressive disorder.
Some of the vital signs of depression in women include;
1. Feeling Of Guilt And Worthlessness
Women start blaming themselves for everything that is happening in their life. They will take responsibility for all the wrong things and feel guilty about it. Moreover, apologetic behavior engulfs their personality and reduces self-esteem. Self-esteem is the representation of their self-worth. Feelings of being deprived, deviant, and defective are also one of the signs of depression.
2. Negativity
Having a point of view is a separate thing but, being negative about everything causes resentment. People make up their minds before getting into something, and the worse thing about judgment is negative judgment. These people are unable to do anything in life and do not let people around them do anything. Most women are going through the same situation.
3. Sleeplessness
Blame those sleepless nights on your old friend-depression. It is sad but true, at night you are unable to find peace to sleep. Your anxieties overcome the peace in your mind. It is an alarming sign of depression because it affects your health. Women’s emotional state affects their physical state, it means that something has to be done about it. Sleeplessness also causes acid reflux and Apnea (shortness of breath while sleeping).
4. Fatigue
Tiredness is a result of stressing over every other issue which leads to depression. Stress comes from overthinking and coming up with negative conclusions. Exhaustion can be both mental and physical, especially for women. Some people start putting too much pressure on their bodies by working out or doing excessive work. But, it is an escapist approach and it leads to depression.
5. Loss Of Interest
Losing interest in the activities that one loved to do before is a serious symptom of depression. Lack of interest is also known as Anhedonia and it eliminates the will to look forward to things. Excitements in your life make you feel alive and free but, being emotionally absent makes things dull for you and the people around you. People stop doing things for you when you stop showing excitement and gratitude. But, faking such emotions can be very alarming. Most women go through this problem and do not do anything about it.
6. Lack Of Concentration
A depressed person has a hard time concentrating on the petty tasks of daily life. The mind keeps on wandering and the negative energy drains the power to concentrate and finish work. Depression might trigger memory loss, which also makes things difficult for you to concentrate. The thought of not being able to understand anything while someone is giving directions or homework in school makes you depressed. Even in relationships when a person does not concentrate on anything makes things difficult. No one understands the emotional aspects better than a woman as they went through all of it.
7. Indecisiveness
Your ability to take decisions is affected by depression. Usually, women are unable to decide about something in life. Even small decisions seem very difficult and impossible to decide. Being indecisive can be a serious cause of terminating your relationship with someone. Moreover, if you have decided something you will be demoralized by what you chose. It will be difficult for you to submit to your will and stick with it.
8. Uncertain Reactions
The things happening around us affect our behavior. The sudden state of anger and sudden calmness can seem very unsettling. Most women go through this problem. People do not process in such a way, they have a normal process of channeling their emotions. The emotional imbalance will make you an outcast and a deviant. It is unable to see situations rationally and people get scared of sharing things with you.
9. Suicidal Thoughts
Having a death wish is not a selfish act, it is an illness. It should be treated immediately. A death wish shows feelings of helplessness. A person stops appreciating life when they lose all hope. It is the worst thing a person can go through, you should work hard to find joy in little things in life. Death is not an option to escape, it kills hope.
These are a few signs of depression that have entered our lives without us even noticing. But it is on us to work for the revival of our happy selves and the surrounding people affected by this illness. A lot of women face this problem every day but, they should try to stay happy because life is too short for all of it. In case of depression, immediately find the best psychiatrist. It will help you in your life.
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FAQs
What are the behaviors of females who are depressed?
Indicators of female depression include persistently feeling down, nervous, or empty, and loss of enjoyment or interest in activities, such as sex, agitation, irritability, and excessive crying.
