Depression Treatment For Women

Women play many different roles - mother, wife, professional, friend and caregiver. These roles can add up to lots of stress. This, along with hormonal changes, can cause depression in women.

Women who suffer from depression have symptoms that can include mood swings sleep problems and abnormal periods. Other signs include perimenopausal depression, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and bipolar disorder.

Causes

There are many things that can trigger depression in women. This includes hormonal changes during different stages of life (pregnancy and menstrual cycle, perimenopausal) and physical issues like low iron or anemia as well as the adverse effects of certain medications, including birth hormone therapy and control pills. Other causes include a woman's reaction to stress or a different reaction to hormonal fluctuations, as well as social pressures that differ for women and men.

Depression is more common among women than men. It is estimated that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than males and this is partially because the symptoms present differently. For example, women are more likely to express feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure and also feelings of guilt and worthlessness.

In addition the onset of depression in women is usually earlier, lasts longer and is more frequent than it does for men. Also, certain signs of depression, including suicide, are more likely to be reported by women than by men. Women are more likely to report depression-related symptoms, such as suicide, than men.

Women have a lot on their plates being wives, mothers employees, friends, and caregivers to family members and loved ones can lead to emotional ups and downs. However, these fluctuations can be more intense or last longer than the men's and can affect daily activities and relationships.

Hormonal changes can be an important factor in depression in women. For instance, the time before menopausal (perimenopause) can be a roller-coaster of physical and emotional fluctuations due to the hormonal shifts that happen during this period. Other causes of depression in women include premenstrual dysphoric disorder which is a more severe version of the "baby blues" that some new moms experience; and postpartum or postnatal depression that occurs after giving birth.

Women can be treated for depression using medication, counseling or a combination of both. If you choose to take medication, it is crucial for women to be aware that antidepressants work better in certain individuals than others. It is important to make sure you choose the appropriate dosage and medication. Women must also make healthy lifestyle changes like getting enough rest and eating a well-balanced diet. Some people also find relief from depression symptoms through self-help tactics, such as meditation, yoga, journaling or a healthy exercise regimen.

Signs and symptoms

Girls and women are at increased risk of depression due to unique biological, hormonal, and social issues. These include hormonal changes that happen during puberty and menstruation as along with pregnancy and childbirth.

These mood swings can cause women's moods to change. She may feel lonely, sad or overwhelmed. These feelings can be challenging for women to manage, especially if the feelings become a problem in their relationships and daily lives. Other signs of depression include trouble sleeping or sleeping, a decrease in interest in things that used to be fun being tired and sluggish most of the day, and a constantly low mood. People who suffer from severe depression, accompanied by suicidal ideas or plans to commit suicide should be treated using medication, psychotherapy or both.

Many people experience mood swings and ups throughout the day, or even week. However, these moods should not interfere with a woman's daily functioning and should not last longer than a few days before returning to normal. Women who experience depression symptoms that affect their daily lives and do not improve, should consult the doctor or mental health professional.

If you are worried about a friend or family member, help them to seek first line treatment for anxiety and depression. You can also offer support by learning more about symptoms and causes of depression. You can also offer emotional assistance by being there for them and helping them with their daily obligations.

For instance, you could you could offer to take your baby for a couple of hours if they have difficulty sleeping. You can help by offering your help with chores around the house or meals. You can also support them by bringing them to a doctor for a plan of treatment for depression and anxiety or by offering to go to psychotherapy sessions together.

In therapy, a person can learn healthy coping techniques and improve their ability to manage their symptoms. Some women can get by with only psychotherapy, but others may require antidepressant drugs. Both therapies have high success rates in the right patient. For mothers who are breastfeeding, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication that is safe for both mother and baby.

Treatment

Women are at a higher-than-average risk of developing depression due to hormonal fluctuations and changes in their bodies. These include the menstrual cycles as well as miscarriage, pregnancy postpartum depression, perimenopausal symptoms and menopausal. Women are also often stressed by relationship problems, financial problems and taking care of children who are young or elderly parents.

Self-care and non medical treatment for depression can help relieve depression symptoms. Talk therapy (also called psychotherapy or counseling) as well as best antidepressant for treatment resistant depression medications and their combination are often effective in reducing depression symptoms. Psychotherapy is focused on learning coping skills and developing healthier relationships to help people manage stressful life events. It also helps identify and combat negative thoughts, and teach people how to deal with difficulties. Antidepressants are medications that aid in regulating mood by controlling hormones and boosting serotonin levels in the brain.

Everyone feels down or sad every now and then Depression is a serious mental health condition that impacts people's feelings, thoughts and behavior. Depression can make it hard to focus or to sleep well or to have the energy to complete everyday tasks. Depression can be treated by a psychiatrist or social worker, psychologist or a counsellor. GPs can refer you to one of these professionals, or you can locate them using healthdirect's Service Finder. You can get an amount of reimbursement from Medicare for up to 20 sessions a year with a licensed mental health professional.

Some women are reluctant to seek help when they're suffering from depression, either because they feel guilty about it or because they believe their depression isn't that serious. Talking to your family member or your friend or a support group or a trusted health professional is a good option to receive the help you need. You can also boost your mood by doing exercises that are mindful, focusing on mindfulness in a regular manner, sleeping well eating a balanced diet, and exposing yourself to bright natural or artificial light. Being mindful of your health and being involved in your community can also help. Call the Beyondblue Helpline at 1800 22 4636 for more details about coping with depression, or visit Healthdirect's Service Finder.

Prevention

Depression is a serious illness, but it can be treated. If you know a woman who is suffering from depression urge her to see a health professional and to adhere to the treatment plan. For instance, you can aid her in remembering to take her medications and ensure that she has transportation available or has access to therapy appointments. Reassure that she isn't alone and that her mood will improve with time and treatment.

Many factors can trigger depression treatment medications. It can be caused by physical illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. It can also be caused by unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption. Women who have a history or a family history of depression are more likely to suffer from depression themselves. Numerous studies have demonstrated that certain prevention programs can decrease the risk of depression among women. In a series trials, a programme called ROSE, (Reach Out Stay Strong, Essentials For Mothers of Newborns), has been shown to decrease the risk of postpartum depressive disorder among low-income mothers by half.

Women should seek out help for depression symptoms. Consult your health care provider to refer you to a mental specialist. A woman who is suffering from depression and has difficulties caring for her child or herself needs immediate help from a healthcare professional. You can ask a family member or a friend to watch her child for a couple of hours or join an online support group.

Beyond blue offers information and support to women, including a video call service with maternal child nurses. Healthdirect also has a Service Locator to locate the GP or mental health professional and create an individual psychological treatment for depression plan.