Depression Treatment For Women
Women play many different roles - mother, wife professional, friend and caregiver. These roles can create a lot of stress. depression help , along with hormonal changes, can result in depression among women.
Women who suffer from depression have symptoms that can include mood swings irregular menstrual cycles and sleep problems. Other symptoms include perimenopausal depression, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and bipolar disorder.
Causes
Women can be affected by depression for a variety of reasons. This includes hormonal changes at various times in life (pregnancy menstrual cycle menopausal symptoms), physical problems like anemia and low iron levels, or side effects from some drugs like birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Other causes include a woman's response to hormone fluctuations, stress and social pressures.
Depression is more prevalent in women than men. It is believed that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men and this is largely because the symptoms manifest differently. For example women are more likely to express feelings of sadness and loss of interest or pleasure, as well as feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
Additionally the onset of depression for women tends to occur earlier, lasts longer, and is more frequent than it does for men. Also, some symptoms of depression, such as suicide are more likely to be reported by women than by men. This is partly because women are more socially expected to express their feelings and also because of the pressures from family and culture to be strong.
Women often have many obligations - they're mothers, wives, workers as well as friends and caregivers for family members and a loved one. This can cause emotional ups & downs. However, these emotions can become more severe or last longer than those experienced by men and can affect daily activities and relationships.
Hormonal changes are often the main cause of depression in women. For example, the time prior to menopausal (perimenopause) can be a roller-coaster of physical and emotional fluctuations due to the hormonal shifts that occur during this time. Other causes of depression in women include premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is a more severe form of the "baby blues" that new mothers are experiencing; and postpartum depression, also known as perinatal depression, which can occur after the birth.
Women can treat depression using counseling, medication or a combination. Women who choose to take medication should be aware that some antidepressants are more efficient than others. Taking the time to find the right medication and dosage is essential to achieve success. Women should also make lifestyle changes such as taking enough rest and eating a balanced, balanced diet. Self-help techniques like yoga or meditation, journaling, or a regular exercise routine can aid in relieving depression symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Women and girls are at a higher risk of depression because of unique social, hormonal and biological issues. These include hormonal changes during puberty menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as menopausal and perimenopausal cycles.
The mood swings during these times may make a woman feel depressed, lonely, or overwhelmed. These feelings can be challenging for women to manage particularly if they become a problem in their relationships and daily lives. Other signs of depression include difficulty sleeping and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, feeling tired and slow for the majority of the time, and constantly low mood. Suicidal thoughts and intentions are indicators of severe depression. Patients suffering from this disorder should be treated by therapy, medication, or both.
It is normal for many people to have ups and downs in their emotions throughout the week or day. However these moods should not affect a woman's everyday functioning and should not last more than one or two days before returning to normal. Women suffering from depression that affect their daily life and don't improve, should see an GP or a mental health professional.
If you are worried about a friend or family member, encourage them to seek help. You can also provide support by learning more about the causes and symptoms of depression. You can also offer emotional assistance by providing them with support and helping them with their daily responsibilities.
For instance, if they are having trouble sleeping and you want to help, you can offer to take them for a few hours so they can sleep. You can also support them by assisting with their meals or other household chores. You can also assist by taking them to a doctor to discuss a treatment plan, or by inviting them to attend psychotherapy sessions with them.
During therapy, an individual can learn healthy coping techniques and increase their ability to manage symptoms. Some women can cope using only psychotherapy, whereas others may require antidepressant drugs. Both therapies have high rates of success in the appropriate patient. For women who are breastfeeding psychiatrists can prescribe medication that is safe for both mother and baby.
Treatment
Women have a higher risk of depression because of hormonal changes and fluctuations in their bodies. These include the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage postpartum depression, perimenopausal symptoms and menopause. Women may also experience stressors such as relationship issues financial problems, as well as caring for children who are young or elderly parents.
Symptoms of depression can be alleviated through treatment and self-care techniques. Talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy or counselling) and antidepressant medications are frequently effective in alleviating depression symptoms, especially when combined. Psychotherapy focuses on acquiring strategies for coping and building healthier relationships to help people manage stressful life events. It can also be used to identify and combat negative thinking and help people learn to more effectively respond to challenges. Antidepressants are medicines that help control mood by regulating hormones and boosting serotonin levels in the brain.
Everyone feels down or sad at times depression is a severe mental health issue that impacts people's feelings, thoughts and behaviour. Depression can make it difficult to think clearly and sleep well, as well as get the energy needed to do daily tasks. Fortunately, depression can be treated with the help of a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. Your doctor can refer you to one of these professionals or you can locate them using healthdirect's Service Finder. Medicare will reimburse you for up to 20 sessions each year with a licensed mental health professional.
Women may have trouble reaching out for help when they're depressed because they feel ashamed or feel as if their depression isn't serious or real. However, talking to a friend or family member, a support group, a trusted health professional or an assistance line like beyondblue can all be effective ways to get the help you need. You can also improve your mood by practicing mindfulness, exercising and sleeping enough eating a balanced diet, and expose yourself to bright, natural or artificial light. Being mindful of your health and participating in your community can also aid. For more information on how to deal with depression, contact the beyondblue Helpline at 1800 22 4636 or visit healthdirect's Services Finder.
The following is a list of preventions.
Depression is a serious disease however, it can be treated. Encourage a woman you know who is suffering from depression to seek out professional help and adhere to the treatment plan. Help her remember to take her medication and make sure she has transportation to her therapy appointments. Reassure her that she is not alone, and remind her that with time and treatment the mood will improve.
There are many things that can trigger depression. Depression can be caused by physical ailments such as respiratory or diabetes. It can also be triggered by lifestyle issues such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and harmful alcohol consumption. Women with an underlying depression history or having a family history of depression are at higher risk of developing it. Some studies show that certain prevention programs can lower the risk of depression in women. For example, one programme known as ROSE (Reach Out and Stay Strong, Essentials for mothers of infants) has been proven to reduce the incidence of postpartum depression among low-income women by half in a series of research studies.
Women should seek out help for symptoms of depression. Ask your health care provider to refer you to a psychiatrist. If women are having difficulty caring for her baby or herself due to depression, she should seek help from a health care provider immediately. She could ask a family member or a friend to look after her child for a couple of hours or join an online support group.
Beyond blue offers information and support for women, including a video-call service with maternal child nurses. They can also use healthdirect's Service Locator to locate the GP or mental health professional and develop an appropriate treatment plan.