Depression is an illness which involves our mental, physical and social being as a whole. And it should not be warded off as a passing blue mood for if not treated it may last for days, months or even years. Depression generally involves how the person feels about herself/himself, their perspectives about the things around them. It also influences their eating and sleeping habits. Depending on the individuals the symptoms of depression varies.
However, there is a vast difference between feeling depressed and clinical depression. A depressed feeling may simply be a mood swing and may pass off but when it comes to clinical depression, some have described it as "living in a black hole". Often people under depression feel lifeless and empty rather than feeling sad or weak.
Over the years, depression has been on the rise among women and men as well and is much more common than what we usually think of. Comparatively women tend to suffer through depression more than men. On an average, 20% of women suffer from depression as compared to 10 % among men, however, the exact reason of women’s prevalence over men on this issue still remains a mystery.
Some have attributed to hormonal factors such as Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression. Apart from these, there are other gender-related differences in cognitive styles, incidence of psychosocial and economic stresses in women. The inferior sex more likely experiences the symptoms and signs of depression like weight gain, overeating, sleeping excessively, feelings of guilt etc.
Also, women are more likely to suffer and experience seasonal depression. However, the symptoms exhibited by a young woman who is under depression may differ from those exhibited by an aged man. Once aware of these differences it might be helpful in recognizing and treating it. Some of the symptoms that women usually exhibit are:
1) Middle aged women who are at the juncture of menopause often exhibit hysterical temper, sudden mood fling, phobias etc.
2) Some women even suffer from depression a week before their menstruation. And this exhibits mood fluctuation, anxiety, decreasing interest in activities, etc.
3) Childbirth also causes depression among some women. They might repel from breastfeeding the child; suffer from psychomotor agitation, severe anxiety, panic attacks, spontaneous crying and lack of concentration.
4) Other symptoms may include persistent sadness, empty mood, loss of interest in sex, irritability, restlessness, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness etc.
5) One may also exhibit headaches, digestive disorder, and chronic pain, difficulty in making decisions or remembering, sudden weight loss or weight gain, loss of appetite or over-eating and insomnia.
Married women are at greater risk for depression as compared to married men. For married women perform twice the amount of household chores as their spouses do which increases their stress and anxiety. Also when children come into the picture, greater is the chance of a woman being depressed. Apart from these, there are other factors such as rape victims and victims of domestic violence who are at greater risk.
