Both men and women can suffer from depression, but it tends to impact women more so than men. This mental health disorder is debilitating, creating complications to both psychological and physical health. Many people don’t know the sadness that they feel is actually depression, a mental health disorder. At Bayview Recovery, we support women facing this type of mental health disorder with both compassion and innovative programs. Learn more about our treatment programs by calling Bayview Recovery today at 855.478.3650.

Spotting Depression in Women

Depression is a mental health condition noted for its intense sadness and profound inability to be happy. Often, women experiencing it want to be happy and engage in life around them, but they find that difficult to do. They don’t usually know why or how to fix it. There are some common symptoms of depression common including these.

1. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness: It’s common to feel unable to fix what’s wrong or see that they can improve the situation. For example, a woman may feel unable to improve what she feels and feels stuck as a result.
2. Loss of interest: Things that the person used to be enjoyable no longer are. There is less motivation or interest in engaging in social situations or other activities once loved. It’s just easier to stay home.
3. Sleep complications: Many people with depression spend more time sleeping. If they cannot do so, they feel tired all of the time, even if they have slept well the night before. Feeling fatigued, even without engaging in any activities, is a significant symptom of depression.
4. Changes in weight and overall health: Depression is not just a psychological problem. It also impacts the way a person interacts with the world around them, leading to physical changes. These changes may include weight loss or weight gain, loss of appetite, and feeling ill or run down.
5. Uncontrollable emotions: Depression does not just create sadness. It can cause moments of crying, instances of feeling frustration, and times when anger is present. Outbursts, crying, and noticeable mood changes are prevalent.

In addition to these symptoms, a woman may benefit from depression treatment if she is frequently talking about suicide or death. Self-harm may also occur in some people. Thoughts of death can indicate a significant chemical imbalance that can lead to suicide in some people. If this is happening, call 911 for immediate support.

What Treatments Are Available?

When these signs of depression become evident, it’s essential to act. Depression can worsen over time, especially if left untreated. The first step in treatment is to understand why you feel this way. Sometimes medications can help by balancing hormones and chemicals in the brain that lead to these feelings.

In addition to medication, women can also begin therapy. This is an opportunity to talk to a therapist about what’s happening, what type of thoughts are occurring, and why. Therapy programs we offer that may help include:

• Individual therapy programs
• Mindfulness meditation therapy
• Art therapy programs
• Life skills training programs
• Trauma therapy programs

The goal of therapy is not just to talk about feelings. It is to learn how to manage symptoms of depression. It also includes learning how to manage stress, past trauma, and relationship concerns, leading to a worsening condition. Most importantly, treatment aims to improve quality of life significantly.

Get Treatment at Bayview Recovery

Depression in women doesn’t have to define the future. Instead, recognizing these signs means it is easier to decide to get depression treatment. At Bayview Recovery, we work closely to provide you with tools, strategies, and medications to enable healing. To learn more about how we can help you, call our team at 855.478.3650 or connect with us online.