Depression Symptoms in Women

Women tend to develop depression twice as much as men. One of the reason may be hormonal changes either due to monthly cycles or after childbirth.  In fact, depression after giving birth is so prevalent it has a name, after baby blues. Women also tend to have different signs of depression than men. One of the reasons is the societal acceptance of a woman being more emotional than a man is. However, these depression symptoms in women signs are now merging as society accepts men crying and women believe they must be put on a stoic front and hide their emotions.

Sadness, Anxiety or Numbness

One sign of depression Symptoms in women is the feeling of persistent sadness. However, in some women this feeling may be one of anxiety or simply an empty type of feeling, almost an emotional numbness.

Loss of Interest

The lost of interest most often noticed by spouses is the loss of interest in sex. However, loss of interest of any pleasurable activity or loss of pleasure in activities the woman once enjoyed is another sign of depression symptoms in women.

Emotional Outbursts or Restlessness

Emotional outbursts can include anger, irritability or excessive crying for little apparent reason. Restlessness or the inability to sit still can also be a sign a woman is depressed.

Self Loathing and Pessimism

If a woman is depressed, one of the first signs is the feeling of worthlessness she has. She might also feel helpless and hopeless in her situation. Feelings of guilt can also be including, even though she may have done nothing wrong. Often rape victims succumb to this sign of depression.

Sleep Disturbances

If a woman sleeps a lot more than usual and well beyond the norm, she might be depressed. Television programs often show this sign of depression with the woman never leaving the bed to get dressed or eat. Sleeping too little is also a sign as is waking up early in the morning.

Depression Symptoms in Women Health

Change in Appetite or Weight

A sudden desire to eat everything is one sign of depression. Some people handle bad situations with a carton of ice cream or other comfort food. With depressed individuals, the comfort foods enter the picture several times a day for many days in a row. In fact, the foods may not be comfort foods but any type of food the depressed individual can find. Other women simply don’t eat when they’re depressed. The eating habits dictate whether the depressed individual has a weight gain or loss.

Fatigue

A lack of energy and accomplishment can also indicate a woman is depressed. Frequent complaints of fatigue can be a sign as is a “slow down” in work accomplished.

Depression Symptoms in Women Being Confused

Confusion

The inability to make a decision, concentrate or remember things is another sign of depression. Sometimes people mistake depression for senility in older women.

Thoughts of Suicide

One of the most severe symptoms and clear symptom of depression is thoughts of suicide or attempted suicide. In this case, even those completely unfamiliar with depression can identify the disorder.

Physical Complaints

Various physical complaints, sometimes vague and sometimes specific, can be signs that a woman is depressed. These are particularly significant if they do not respond to treatment. They might include digestive disorders, headaches or chronic pain. Here is some information for symptoms of depression in men. These are 10 signs for depression symptoms in women.