What Are the Common Signs of Depression in Women?

Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression as men. Hormone fluctuations, life changes, and social factors put women at an especially high risk of becoming depressed.

Not only are women more likely to become depressed compared to men, but the signs can also look different between genders. It’s crucial to know what signs to look for if you’re concerned that you or a loved one may be depressed.

Read on to learn the common signs of depression in women.

Emotional Signs

Some may think that depression is only marked by feelings of sadness. While women who are depressed may feel sad, there are other depression signs to look for.

Many people who struggle with depression feel anxious, hopeless, guilty, or inadequate. They may make comments expressing how they feel worthless or that they feel nothing will get better.

Another common sign is feelings of emptiness. Rather than feeling sad, some women may feel nothing at all. They may become numb, making it hard to both enjoy interests they once loved and feel upset when facing challenging or unfortunate events.

Mental Signs

Mental signs of depression relate to cognitive performance and the types of thought patterns that are likely to occur when depressed.

For example, many women who are clinically depressed are unable to focus or make decisions. They may feel like they’re in a mental fog, unable to concentrate or function mentally at work.

Memory may also be impacted by depression, making it more difficult to remember small details throughout the day.

Women who are depressed may start to believe that life is worthless, and they may stop trying to put forth an effort for things they once cared about. They may also start to mentally distance themselves from people they were once close with.

These are warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore. For some who are struggling with untreated depression, this mental state can lead to suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, seek depression treatment from a therapist that take insurance and seek emergency help if they’re threatening to take their own life.

Physical Signs

Some people don’t realize that depression can impact the body. Living with depression can involve suffering through physical ailments such as:

• headaches
• stomachaches and/or nausea
• lack of appetite
• feelings of restlessness
• fatigue
• pain
• trouble sleeping
• sexual dysfunction

In some cases, pre-existing physical ailments can trigger depression. This is common for women suffering from chronic pain.

However, it’s important to understand that depression can make pain even worse due to higher levels of inflammation and stress hormones in the body. Treating depression can, to some extent, treat pain too.

Signs of Depression in Women

Women are much more likely to experience depression than men, and the signs don’t always look the same between genders.

Look for the signs of depression in women discussed above if you think you or a loved one many be suffering from depression, and don’t hesitate to seek treatment.

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