Depression – What Women Should Know

By Aarti Gosine

“If you know someone who’s depressed please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just IS, like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest and best things you will ever do.” – Stephen Fry

What is Depression

Many of us who suffer from clinical depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia and other similar “unseen” ailments are all too familiar with the following statements and questions,

• Why are you depressed? You have such a great life.
• Are you sure you’re ill? You don’t look ill.

• Just snap out of it.  Everyone feels sad sometime.

What many people don’t understand is that depression is different from sadness. It is a medical condition that can affect how you feel, think and handle daily activities like sleeping, eating or working. Depression is more common in women than in men. There may be many reasons for that such as biological, hormonal or social factors that are unique to woman. Another reason may be that women are more open to seeking help for their symptoms than men and so it is recorded that it affects women more than men.

 

What You Should Know About Depression

In this article we will examine some common things that everyone should know about depression in women.

1. Depression is a real medical condition – it is a very serious mood disorder and can interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy life. Some of the causes of depression may be a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological. It may be caused  by    an    imbalance  of  hormones in the brain. One of these hormones is serotonin. Serotonin is regarded by some researchers as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance, and that a deficiency of serotonin leads to depression. Depression is not a sign of a person’s weakness or character flaw and it is not something you can just ‘snap’ out of. If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your doctor or health care provider.

 

2. Depression can literally hurt – sadness is only a small part of A person with depression my experience many physical symptoms such as aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems. Some sufferers may also have trouble with sleeping, waking up in the morning and feeling tired.

 

3. There are some types of depression that are unique to women;                                                                                           a} Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – this is a more severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Some of the symptoms are irritability, anger, depressed mood, sadness, suicidal thoughts, appetite changes, bloating, breast tenderness, and joint or muscle pain.

 

          b}  Perinatal Depression – Perinatal depression is depression during or after (postpartum) Perinatal depression is much more serious than the “baby blues.” The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany perinatal depression may make it difficult to complete daily care activities for a new mom and/or her baby. If you think you have perinatal depression, you should talk to your doctor or a trained mental health care professional.

 

           c} Perimenopausal Depression – Perimenopause (the transition  into menopause)    is    a    normal phase in a woman’s life that can        sometimes  be  challenging.  If you are going through perimenopause, you might  be experiencing abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and  hot flashes. It is a myth that it is “normal” to feel depressed. If you are struggling with irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment at the time of the menopause transition, you may be experiencing perimenopausal depression.

 

          d} Depression affects each woman differently – Some women experience only a few symptoms. Others have many. The severity and frequency of symptoms, and how long they last, will vary depending on the individual and her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness.

 

4. Depression can be treated – Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. Depression is commonly treated with medication, psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or a combination of both.

 

How to alleviate some of the symptoms

 

Although you can’t ‘just snap out of it’, here are some techniques that you can use to alleviate some of the symptoms;

1. Talk about your feelings face-to- face with someone who can listen
2. Avoid isolation—make quality time with positive others a priority
3. Move your body frequently—don’t sit for more than an hour
4. Make it a point to get plenty of natural sunlight
5. Practice relaxation techniques
6. Get all the restful sleep that you need to feel your best—often that is 7-9 hours

Sometimes a change in your diet can also offer some relief from the symptoms of depression;

• Changes to your diet may help reduce symptoms. Cutting back on salt, fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol is Eating plenty of complex carbohydrates is also recommended.
• Vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E, and tryptophan have all been shown to benefit women suffering from PMDD
• Evening primrose oil and chaste tree berry are herbal supplements that have both been studied and found to be effective in the treatment of

Depression affects each individual differently. There is no “one-size-fits-all” for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best. Have faith in your doctor or therapist. Although it may feel like you can’t escape the black cloud that is enveloping you, you can! Women are fighters, so show depression how strong you are and that you cannot be overcome.

My personal experience

 

A relationship that ended badly was the trigger for the start of my depression. I remember sleeping for four days, only getting up to eat when I was forced. When  I finally dragged myself to work, I could not stop crying. I felt so weak that could not concentrate on my duties and my performance level dropped drastically. While all my co-workers would be eager for our lunch break, I just sat and stared at my food, not wanting to eat. I could not laugh at their jokes nor participate in any activities. I felt as though there was a dark cloud surrounding me and I could not feel happy about anything.

My close friend in the office realized what was happening and took me to see a psychiatrist. After trying different combinations of medications I found myself feeling lighter and happier. I am still on medications after 15 years as these  meds have allowed me to lead an almost normal life. The depression never ever goes away but over the years I have learnt  how to deal with the periods of sadness.