Depression is more than being sad. It’s an overwhelming experience that impacts every facet of your day, what you think about, and what you can and cannot do. When you’re faced with depression, you cannot just “shake it off” or “be happy with all the good around you” statements others may make to encourage you to cheer up. Instead, you’re faced with a mental health disorder that requires licensed therapy and supportive services.
Women are very much at risk for depression, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that women are twice more likely than men to suffer from this condition. Depression occurs for many reasons and in various ways but is characterized as suffering mood, cognitive, and physical symptoms over two weeks.
Types of Depression in Women
Numerous types of depression exist, each creating its own set of symptoms and requiring careful attention. The following are some of the most common types of depression women face.
Major Depressive Disorder
Often, when we think of depression, it is this form that’s discussed. In 2021, 14.5 million adults in the U.S., aged 18 or older, experienced at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment. It significantly impacts a person’s ability to maintain responsibilities, relationships, and other major life tasks. Symptoms commonly include:
- A period of two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that used to make you happy
- Sleep problems
- Changes in eating habits
- Changes in concentration levels
- Noted questioning of self-worth
- Difficulty with energy levels
Treatment for major depression can be very effective. The type of treatment applied depends on the underlying cause of the depression, such as a chemical imbalance. Counseling is often the first step in treatment.
Postpartum Depression
A second major type of depression women face is called postpartum depression, a condition associated with pregnancy. About 13% of women experience this form of depression in the period of a week to a month after giving birth. However, for many women, it can carry on longer. There are other expressions of postpartum mental health disorders, including postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD.
Other Types of Depression
The following are additional types of depression some women face, though at a lower level of frequency than the previously mentioned forms. All benefits from treatment:
- Persistent depressive disorder: This condition involves mild to moderate symptoms that last for at least two years, often with less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: This is a chronic condition that involves frequent anger outbursts and irritability. It is most commonly seen in children, with episodes beginning by age 10.
- Seasonal affective disorder: Often referred to as seasonal depression, it is a form of major depressive disorder that tends to happen in the “darker” months of the year, including fall and winter, due to the isolation and lack of sunlight to trigger brain health.
- Prenatal depression: Some people suffer prenatal depression, or depression symptoms that occur during pregnancy.
Also, note that many other factors can contribute to depression such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the onset of medical conditions such as heart disease or hypothyroidism, as well as life-changing events such as the loss of a family member.
When to Seek Help for Depression
There’s no wrong time to reach out for help if you are struggling with depression. The sooner you act, the more likely you are to support your brain’s health in moving beyond these symptoms. There are some times when it is critical to seek help, including:
- Your mood is impacting your health in any way, such as not caring for yourself.
- You have unexplained fatigue that is interfering with your life.
- Ongoing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
- Physical pain, including aches and pains not associated with injury
- Changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping all of the time and still being tired or not being able to sleep
- Problems with concentration or memory
- Changes in appetite, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss that’s unplanned
If you are struggling with depression today, there is no reason to wait for help. Take the steps necessary to reach out and ask for support. Depression is not a sign of weakness but a way your brain is telling you to seek support.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, your future is bright. We offer a wide range of depression treatment programs designed to support you where you are right now. We take your feelings, thoughts, and experiences seriously and can help you. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you take the first steps toward recovery.