Panache

Depression in women is often overlooked or misinterpreted as mood swings or hormonal fluctuations. Yet, studies show that women are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to experience major depressive episodes than men.

So how do you differentiate between sadness, burnout, or actual depression? The first step is self-awareness. Here are 10 common signs of depression in women that are often missed or dismissed.

Worthlessness or Hopelessness

Women often find it difficult to recognize and build their identities. Oftentimes, they may be perceived as one of the most successful women in the community, however, that may not stand true in her mind. There may be multiple causes behind it. And it can be hard to choose one of them.

Yet, worthlessness is a big sign of depression among women. In a world, where women are applauded for doing more than their socially constructed duties. Other women who might not feel the same or not been able to achieve similar accomplishments may feel low or left behind.

This worthlessness takes a much worse shape when it turns into a belief that they will never be able to do something that they always wanted to do or create something meaningful in their lives. For such women, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. And they find themselves distraught and bouncing from one negative thought to another roaming in a dark cave of negativity.

Isolation or loneliness

Women are often tired of judgment. You have to look, talk, sit, or have certain achievements of a certain kind. So, to avoid the pressure or due to fear of judgment, they often start maintaining a distance from the world. This distance soon turns into isolation.

Social isolation is not a bad thing when it comes to healing or knowing yourself in a better way. But when it comes as a fruit of fear or other negative emotions, it may be as harmful as you can imagine. This isolation is often a result of deep-seated insecurity, not being able to live according to others, or never being able to fit into a certain definition.

These feelings turn into depression without you knowing.

Loneliness is another major sign of depression in women. It starts from not being able to find something common among your friends or peers anymore. So, you start going out less. And this loneliness creeps in. You are in need of social company but don’t have the energy to go out.

Losing Interest

Losing interest in the things you once found interesting or not being able to continue doing what you started with such excitement is another major symptom of depression in women.

Make sure, you differentiate this from knowing that you want to explore more interests and pursue everything you ever wanted to pursue. Instead, you start pursuing something but soon you lose interest. Or you thought that it would bring you the kind of joy you always hoped or looked for but nothing happens.

Similarly, you may involve yourself in things that made you feel joy at one time in life, but now it does not bring you the same kind of happiness. If your interests and personality have not changed, then most likely, this is a major sign of depression.

Fatigue and Sleeplessness

Fatigue and lack of energy are often termed as malnutrition or lack of exercise among women. Another reason for the same can be hormonal imbalance too. But when it comes to mental health or mental health check-ups, fatigue as a symptom is often overlooked by many.

However, if fatigue is the result of stress and burnout, then it could come in the form of depression. Sleeplessness in women suffering from depression is not the inability to sleep but straight insomnia.

You need to look out for the signs like feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep. Or not being able to sleep after a full day of productivity and stress. Do not overlook these signs and immediately consult a medical health practitioner.

Sudden change in body

The first of the few things that depression changes in human behavior is their appetite. You may not even realize this but either you lose your appetite completely or you start eating too much because you are trying to fill something insatiable.

As a result of which you may suddenly lose weight or gain weight. Since your mind is already depressed you may not see the changes immediately until it takes a dramatic effect.

Anorexia is a condition where the individual loses its body weight suddenly and depression is a contributing factor to it. Similarly, comfort eating or sudden weight gain is caused by atypical depression.

If you see any of these signs, you need to book an appointment with a therapist immediately.

Restlessness or anxiety.

Statistically, women are more prone to depression than men. And one of the contributing factors to it is the constant habit of worry, overthinking, and anxiousness. While men tend to let go of things easily, women are less likely to do that.

They worry more about the things that they have little or no control over. Thus, making them more anxious about the future and other worries. Another major symptom of seated depression in women is constant restlessness.

They will not be able to relax or sit comfortably. Instead, they would lack sleep, be highly stimulated, or be in a state of constant worry all the time. If you experience these signs, you may be prone to depression.

Increase in self-blaming.

Women are known to be the masters at multi-tasking. Hence they are expected to always do more things. Certain tasks are socially assigned to women like cooking, cleaning, taking care of off-springs, and house duties. In the modern world, women are performing more duties than before.

But what do women think about the same? Women are performing all the tasks and feel guilty about the things they cannot do. Like they are not there when their kids need them. Or they are not able to perform their wifely duties.

The social conditioning makes them believe that they are responsible for everything. And not being able to meet those requirements makes them feel inferior. This inferiority makes a space in their belief system and becomes a major cause of their depression.

Emotional fatigue.

Women are emotional creatures. They are expected to understand, sympathize, and empathize with everyone. They need to be emotionally available for kids, clients, boss, friends, and their spouses. What does it mean for them? It leads to emotional fatigue.

You might have heard that you can’t pour from an empty cup. And yet sometimes, women rarely get time to fill their emotional cups and process their feelings in solitude. It mostly happens when they are required to be available to everyone.

Some major signs of emotional fatigue are irritation, lack of patience, and anger. If these traits have become common in your behaviour then there are high chances that you are not mentally or emotionally fulfilled. Or even in the initial stage of depression.  

Mid-life depression

Mid-life depression is also known as the empty nest syndrome. A woman is always told that your prime duties are to take care of her husband, kids, and house. But by the time they reach their 50s, their socially constructed duties are mostly fulfilled.

This is the moment when they have to redefine their identity, purpose, and how they choose to live for the rest of their lives. This stage of life makes them re-evaluate everything they have been living for. This may lead to severe depression.

Re-defining their identity may lead to redefining their lives and what they are living for. Taking the help of a therapist or talking to a friend who is going through the same stage in their lives can be of great help in this case.

Emptiness or Lack of Purpose.

The song “What Was I Made For” sung by Billie Eilish perfectly defines this scenario of depression in women. It is the feeling of emptiness that a woman feels when she does not her purpose in life. And it is more common in women than you think.

Most women live in a world made for them and defined by a patriarchal society. At some point in their lives, they tend to see beyond that and start questioning their existence and purpose. When the illusion breaks, it is meant to push you into a situation of dilemma and depression.

The emptiness you feel during these times may be short-lived. But it has a major impact on you. From this point, either you can drown in the darkness or get on the quest to find the light in you. Either you can as your old self and lack purpose or you can find your purpose and re-define the new meaning of existence.

Conclusion

Most of the time, symptoms of depression among women are disqualified as hormonal issues or mood swings. But as a woman, you can know what you need. So, instead of ignoring the signs, ask for help when you need it.

You may ignore the symptoms now but it will only stop you from living a healthy and fulfilling life. And you deserve more happiness than you can imagine.