According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 20 million Americans each year have a mental illness.
These include major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia, both considered forms of clinical depression.
While some people experience depression throughout their lives, others develop symptoms later in life, and this is especially true for women who tend to experience depression earlier than men.
Because women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, they often don't seek treatment due to the belief their symptoms are typical or that they should get over it.
We asked a psychologist who has treated women with depression for many years to share some essential facts on this matter.
While the exact causes of depression remain unknown, gender distinctions between males and females play a role in why some women develop depression earlier than men. Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression because of their unique social and hormonal characteristics.
What are some early signs of depression in females?
The signs of depression are often subtle and complex to recognise in women due to cultural norms and societal expectations.
Depression is common in young girls and women because they face challenges such as body image issues, social isolation, or academic stress.
Many women don't recognise key signs of depression, making it harder to get timely support.
Depression can improve with the proper treatment, including therapy, medication, or both.
One noteworthy misbelief about depression is that it's a "normal part of being a woman." This notion may be rooted in the fact that depression commonly affects women.
Approximately one in eight American women will develop clinical depression during their lifetime. Moreover, women are almost twice as likely as men to experience symptoms of depression, which may be due to certain societal, hormonal, and biological factors unique to women.
Women often face extraordinary challenges, such as dealing with pregnancy or childbirth and balancing work and family responsibilities. These issues contribute to women's anxiety, stress, and depression rates.
Women who experience depression also tend to exhibit specific behavioural changes, such as decreased appetite, fatigue, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, diminished ability to concentrate, and suicidal ideation.
Here are six things that women living with depression need to know.
1. The key signs aren't always obvious
Some symptoms of depression in women are easier to spot — like changes in appetite or sleeping habits, irritability, or feelings of hopelessness.
However, your loved ones may brush this off or fail to notice other crucial symptoms.
These symptoms include:
Anhedonia: This symptom refers to an inability to get enjoyment from activities that previously interested or inspired you. Given that many women toil with feeling exhausted and overworked, this meaningful sign of depression is often confused with burnout or lack of sleep.
Diminished interest in sexual activity
Drinking extensively:
Isolation:
Retail therapy:
2. It won't necessarily derail your life completely
3. Depression triggers may relate to your circumstances
4. Depression can set in during certain life stages
Prenatal depression
Uncomfortable bodily changes, hormonal shifts, and intense planning that come with pregnancy can be overwhelming for expecting mothers — particularly if you
Most maternal-mortality statistics exclude suicide and self-harm
Postpartum depression (Blues)
Perimenopausal depression
5. Changing habits that fuel depression can be difficult to notice
6. Depression is highly treatable
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