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Nov. 2nd, 2004 10:21 pmDepression is quite common among women
Depression is a medical condition that affects 19 million Americans each year. Of those affected by depression, experts estimate that women experience depression twice as often as men. In fact, over the course of a lifetime, nearly 1 in 4 women will experience a major depressive episode. And yet, only 1 in 5 women suffering from depression will get the medical treatment they need. It appears that the chances of a woman becoming depressed may be greatest during peak childbearing years, roughly ages 25 to 44, but depression can strike a woman at any age.
Remember, if you are a woman with depression, you are not alone. Help is available.
What depression is
Everyone gets sad sometimes—a brief blue mood, disappointments, grief after losing a loved one. Depression, though, is different. Depression is not just a case of the blues; it is a serious medical illness often caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Much like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, depression is a disease that requires medical treatment. Otherwise, if left untreated, depression can last months or, in some cases, years.
Compared with depressed men, depressed women are more likely to experience:
Guilt
Weight gain
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Increased appetite
Increased sleep
Some signs and symptoms of depression
There are several signs and symptoms that can help a healthcare professional or doctor determine if a woman has depression. If you (or a woman you know) have had at least 5 of the following symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day for more than 2 weeks, professional help should be sought:
Feelings of sadness, depressed mood, and/or irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, such as hobbies or spending time with family/friends
Changes in weight or appetite
Changes in sleeping pattern—sleeping too much or not being able to sleep at all
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
Constant fatigue or loss of energy
Restlessness or decreased activity
Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
Important note: if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your healthcare professional or doctor, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest local suicide hotline.
What depression is not
Depression is not something to be ashamed of, nor is it a sign of a weak personality. People with depression cannot "just snap out of it"—no more than it would be possible for a person with diabetes or some other medical illness to "just snap out of it."
Depression is a medical condition that affects 19 million Americans each year. Of those affected by depression, experts estimate that women experience depression twice as often as men. In fact, over the course of a lifetime, nearly 1 in 4 women will experience a major depressive episode. And yet, only 1 in 5 women suffering from depression will get the medical treatment they need. It appears that the chances of a woman becoming depressed may be greatest during peak childbearing years, roughly ages 25 to 44, but depression can strike a woman at any age.
Remember, if you are a woman with depression, you are not alone. Help is available.
What depression is
Everyone gets sad sometimes—a brief blue mood, disappointments, grief after losing a loved one. Depression, though, is different. Depression is not just a case of the blues; it is a serious medical illness often caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Much like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, depression is a disease that requires medical treatment. Otherwise, if left untreated, depression can last months or, in some cases, years.
Compared with depressed men, depressed women are more likely to experience:
Guilt
Weight gain
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Increased appetite
Increased sleep
Some signs and symptoms of depression
There are several signs and symptoms that can help a healthcare professional or doctor determine if a woman has depression. If you (or a woman you know) have had at least 5 of the following symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day for more than 2 weeks, professional help should be sought:
Feelings of sadness, depressed mood, and/or irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, such as hobbies or spending time with family/friends
Changes in weight or appetite
Changes in sleeping pattern—sleeping too much or not being able to sleep at all
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
Constant fatigue or loss of energy
Restlessness or decreased activity
Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
Important note: if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your healthcare professional or doctor, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest local suicide hotline.
What depression is not
Depression is not something to be ashamed of, nor is it a sign of a weak personality. People with depression cannot "just snap out of it"—no more than it would be possible for a person with diabetes or some other medical illness to "just snap out of it."
