6 symptoms of depression in women

Is depression different in men and women? The answer is men and women tend to experience different symptoms when they are in depression. These differences can be because of hormonal differences between men and women. Women generally tend to show sadness; blame themselves or could turn to unhealthy emotional eating whereas men would tend to pick up fights or blame the other person or adopt destructive habits like drinking and smoking.

6 most common symptoms of depression in women:

1. Crying without any specific cause or having dramatic mood swings.
2. Losing an abnormal amount of weight in a short while or gaining weight abnormally.
3. Feeling overwhelmingly guilty or irritable or anxious.
4. Continuous thoughts about death.
5. Feeling exhausted or weak without much physical activity.
6. Inability to focus or enjoy things that she would love to do at one point in life or socially isolating from the rest of the world.

Every one of us experiences depression differently, so you may feel that the symptoms mentioned above are not similar to yours. For the same you need to consult a specialist to help you rule out whether you are suffering from depression. Meanwhile you can click on the link for evaluating whether you are suffering from depression or not?

Common causes of depression in women

Not only biological or psychological reasons are responsible for causing depression in females but a few major life events also could cause depression in females like pregnancy or birth of a child. Following are a few events which could cause depression in females:

1. Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): This is considered as a form of depression. In this a woman has severe depression symptoms, irritability, and tension before menstruation. The symptoms of PMDD are more severe than pre-menstrual syndrome.
2. Peri-natal Depression: Depression sets in when a woman is pregnant or else immediately after the birth of the baby. Depression when occurs after the birth of the baby is generally called postpartum depression. Women suffering from this type of depression generally have trouble sleeping, have suicidal thoughts or feel that they are unable to take care of themselves or their baby.
3. Peri-menopausal Depression: Major hormonal changes happen when a woman is going to enter into complete cessation of menses or menopause. As a result of this they can experience symptoms of depression during this time. This could be exhibited in the form of relationship issues or stress at workplace or household stress.
4. Other Causes: Depression in women could also be due to imbalance of chemicals in the brain, family history of depression, tragic events in life such as death or a loved one or end of a precious relationship, thyroid disease or diseases like breast cancer or cancer of any female organ.

Follow these tips to keep yourself happy

1. De-stress Yourself

   It is important to keep your stress levels in check to prevent a hormonal imbalance. Reduced estrogen production can affect your brain and cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression. However, doing yoga and other breathing relaxation methods are especially effective in fighting depression symptoms. Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress.

2. Exercise Daily

   Exercise is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. You’ll feel stronger and happier once you incorporate exercise into your daily routine. It also helps to prevent pre-menstrual depression, peri-menopausal depression or peri-natal depression which includes mood swings, weight gain, and insomnia. Choose a form of exercise that works for you. You may want to consider taking a walk with a friend, joining a gym, going for a run, yoga or meditation.

3. Eat a Well Balanced Diet

   Eating a balanced, low-fat diet is your best defense against hormonal disturbances. Make sure you include an adequate amount of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in every meal. It’s also important to incorporate mono-saturated oils, such as olive oil and sesame oil, into your diet. Essential fatty acids also play a crucial role in maintaining hair health. Your body needs to be hydrated in order to function properly. Load up on water all day long. The amount of water needed varies from person to person and depends on various factors, including overall health and exercise intensity. As a general rule, however, you should aim to have eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.