DEPRESSION & WOMEN

What is depression?

Everyone sometimes feels sad, but these feelings usually pass after a few days. When a woman has depression, she has trouble with her daily life for weeks at a time. More women than men get depression. It is a serious illness, and most women who have it need treatment to get better.

What are the different forms of depression?

The most common types of depression are:

Major depression?severe symptoms that interfere with a woman's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime. But more often, a person can have several episodes.
Dysthymic disorder or dysthymia?depressive symptoms that last a long time (2 years or longer), but less severe than those of major depression.
Minor depression?similar to major depression and dysthymia, but symptoms are less severe and may not last as long.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

Different people have different symptoms. Some symptoms of depression include:

Feeling sad or "empty"
Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Feeling very tired
Not being able to concentrate or remember details
Not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much
Overeating, or not wanting to eat at all
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
What causes depression in women?

Several factors may contribute to depression in women.

Genes?women with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop it than those whose families do not have the illness.

Brain chemistry and hormones?people with depression have different brain chemistry than those of people without the illness. Also, the hormones that control emotions and mood can affect brain chemistry.

During certain times of a woman's life, her hormones may be changing, which may affect her brain chemistry. For example, after having a baby (postpartum period), hormones and physical changes may be overwhelming. Some women experience postpartum depression, a serious form of depression that needs treatment. Other times of hormonal change, such as transition into menopause, may increase a woman's risk for depression.

Stress?loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger depression in some women.

How is depression treated?

The first step to getting the right treatment is to visit a doctor or mental health professional. He or she can do an exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions that may have the same symptoms as depression. He or she can also tell if certain medications you are taking may be affecting your mood.

The doctor should get a complete history of symptoms, including when they started, how long they have lasted, and how bad they are. He or she should also know whether they have occurred before, and if so, how they were treated. He or she should also ask if there is a history of depression in your family.

Medication

Medications called antidepressants can work well to treat depression. They can take several weeks to work. Antidepressants can have side effects including:

Headache.
Nausea, feeling sick to your stomach.
Difficulty sleeping and nervousness.
Agitation or restlessness.
Sexual problems.
Most side effects lessen over time. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you may have. ASK ME ONLINE,PRIVATELY FOR ANY DOUBTS AND HELP