DEPRESSION

As women, we have many life roles. Mother, wife, employee, friend, healer, caregiver, and the list goes on. The complexity of all of these roles can cause ups and downs throughout life. Some of these mood changes may be due to life events (e.g., getting in an argument with a friend) or may be due to hormones (e.g., pregnancy, menstrual cycle).

What is Depression?
Clinical depression is a serious and pervasive mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can be mild to moderate with symptoms of apathy, little appetite, difficulty sleeping, low self-esteem, and low-grade fatigue Or it can be more severe.

Types of Depression

1. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
2. Perinatal Depression
3. Perimenopausal Depression. This will be explained in my next post.

Symptoms of Depression

The following are the symptoms of depression but not limited to;

1. Mood swings and feelings of tearfulness
2. Panic attacks
3. Feelings of tension
4. Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”
5. Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
6. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Etc

According to the National Institutes of Health, factors that increase the risk of depression in women include reproductive, genetic, or other biological factors; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics. In addition, women juggling work with raising kids and women who are single parents suffer more stress that may trigger symptoms of depression. Other factors that could increase risk include:

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 etc
   Treatment Options
   If you are a woman and suffering from depression, it is best to seek treatment right away to improve your quality of life. Your first course of action should be a visit to your doctor or mental health professional. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions and perform tests to rule out an underlying medical condition causing your depression or determine if certain medications might be to blame for your depressed mental state. Therapy has also been shown to be a very effective method of treatment if you are suffering from depression.
   If you are uncertain whom to call for help with depression, consider checking out the following resources:

1. Community mental health centers
2. Employee assistance programs
3. Family doctors
4. Family service/social agencies
5. Health maintenance organizations
6. Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics etc
   Conclusion
   Depression is not a sign of a person’s weakness or a character flaw. The truth is that most people who experience depression need treatment to get better. If you are a friend or family member of a woman with depression, you can offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. But never dismiss her feelings. Encourage her to talk to her health care provider, and remind her that, with time and treatment, she can feel better.
   In addition to medications and therapy, the self-help techniques below can help improve your mood if you are suffering from depression:

1. Don’t keep your feelings bottled up – find a support group with people you trust.
2. Stay engaged in social activities and social functions
3. Exercise regularly
4. Get enough sleep – 8 hours per night is ideal
5. Meditate, try yoga, or practice other relaxation techniques.
   If you or a loved one are suffering from depression, you are not alone. Seek help for your depressed mood to elevate your quality of life. Suicide is not an option, I repeat Suicide is never an option.