We often speak of depression very lightly. You may have heard your friend telling you that he/she is feeling depressed today. But this is not actually depression, it is a state of mind in which you are too confused to react to a situation and want to be alone for most times. People going through depression symptoms tend to avoid social circle, family and friends. It is a state of very deep sadness that is hard for the person to overcome; hence you should not talk about it so lightly. Today we will discuss about a very important topic, symptoms of depression in women.
Depression Affecting Women
Many women who suffer from depression are not actually able to know or speak about it because of the reasons of state they are in. It is responsibility of people around them to understand the symptoms of depression in women and provide them with help. We spoke to Dr. Megha Jain, Psychologist from Apollo Spectra Hospital, Hyderabad to explain about different symptoms of depression in women.
She told that the symptoms are almost same as men with few exceptions. A person should get medical help if she is having symptoms of depression for over 3 days, because the early it is diagnosed, it’s easier to be cured. If this lasts for more than 3 months, it takes form of acute depression and further 6 months; it may turn into chronic depression that may take many years to heal. An important fact is that women face depression at twice the rate than men; hence it can be more severe in women as compared to men.
Symptoms of Depression in Women
1. Not having interest in hobbies
One of the prior symptoms of depression is that they do not enjoy doing what they often did. This includes their hobbies and pass time activities, Women tend to get away from those and usually be alone most of the times, speak less and do not interact with others. Having no interest in hobbies can be one of the signs of depression in women.
2. Difficulty in concentrating
Most people have difficulty in concentrating and focussing on a goal when they are going through symptoms of depression. This is because they tend to be more involved with their own world and things going on in their mind. It affects their work and home activities. Concentration problems can be evident and absent mindedness can tell that it is a symptom of depression.
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3. Loss of appetite
Yes, women do tend to go on a diet more often than men, but loss of appetite is different. If a woman says that she is not having mood to eat regularly in almost all the meals, then this may be a symptom of depression. Preoccupied thoughts and issues become so evident that they do not get hungry and resist themselves from eating anything. Even their favourite meal or food might not be pleasing enough for them to eat while going through depression.
4. Being alone at most times
One of the evident symptoms of depression in both males and females is getting separated from people around them. Depression tends to take away happiness and takes them to extreme sadness from where they don’t even want to come out. It is important for people around them to understand this and try to make them involved. Do not force them but gradually make them participate in small activities of home events to overcome this symptom.
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5. Crying without any specific cause
If the person is crying without having any cause behind it then it probably is a symptom of depression. This is because people with depression have internal fights going on their mind that process due to which they feel extreme sadness. It makes them vent it out through tears but in depression it becomes a continuous process that affects their mental health. Hence you must take the women to professional expert if she is not comfortable to talk about her reasons of crying.
6. Unable to sleep well at night
Another problem that is seen during depression is sleeplessness. Sleep anaemia or sleeping difficulties are very common in people going from depression, Women have this as more evident symptoms and they wake up till late night and have broken sleep cycles because of depression. Sleeping problems have been associated with over thinking, nervous response and depression symptoms in many studies.
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