In the U.S., approximately 19 million people experience depression every year, and the majority of them are women. Women are more likely to suffer from depression due to a wide range of factors, from biology to external stressors. Understanding the signs of depression in women can help people better recognize when they or someone close to them needs assistance.
Everyone’s experience of depression is unique, and the symptoms can vary in severity and type. If you notice any of the signs of depression in yourself or a woman in your life, it’s important to reach out for help. Honey Lake Clinic offers depression treatment in Florida that can help you reclaim your story—call 888.428.0562 today to get started.
Understanding Depression in Women
Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. More than sadness in response to life’s hurts and heartaches, depression abides and can disrupt your life, affecting the way you think, feel, function, and relate to others. While one in four women are likely to experience an episode of major depression at some point in their lives, nearly two-thirds do not get the help they need.
Research suggests that, in adolescence, depression occurs at about the same rate in girls and boys. With puberty, those numbers change pretty dramatically—a girl’s risk of developing depression increases to nearly twice that of boys. Experts have suggested the many changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman’s life could be contributing factors.
Occasions like puberty, pre-menstrual and menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, post-partum, and menopause all cause chemical fluctuations that can affect mood.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Women
Signs and symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some of the most common signs of depression in women include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
- Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, or pessimism
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Appetite and weight loss or overeating and weight gain
- Decreased energy, fatigue, and feeling slowed down
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
If you see yourself or someone close to you experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to reach out for help. Reach out to a friend or family member, your doctor, or a mental health professional. Treatment is available and can make all the difference in helping manage depression and improving quality of life.
How Depression Treatment Can Help
Depression can be successfully treated. With proper care, symptoms of depression can be alleviated, allowing you to concentrate, think, and develop the spiritual and psychological skills that will renew and heal you.
Depression impacts people in mind, body, and spirit, and that means that treatment needs to address each of those areas in order to be effective. The best approach to depression treatment is one that includes counseling, lifestyle changes, and, when needed, medication.
A faith-based approach, one that integrates God’s love instead of solely treating symptoms, is a particularly effective means of fighting depression. Only by addressing the roots of depression can you find true healing and lasting joy.
Call Honey Lake Clinic Today for Depression Treatment in Florida
At Honey Lake Clinic, our experienced doctors and staff strongly believe that faith-based treatment, encompassing spiritual, physical, and mental health, will provide you with the long-lasting tools and knowledge to live beyond depression. The individualized treatment, experienced staff, and tranquil environment at Honey Lake Clinic can help you regain control of your life and find happiness and wholeness again.
Call 888.428.0562 or reach out online today to get started.
