Life is full of ups and downs, but when the down times last for weeks or months at a time, or keep you from living a "normal" life, you may be suffering from depression. Depression is a medical illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think.
It is different from feeling "blue" or down for a few hours or even a couple of days. It is not a condition that can be willed or wished away.
Why Women are More Likely to Suffer from Depression than Men
On average, approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have been diagnosed with depression. Nearly twice as many women (12 percent) as men (6.6 percent) are affected by a depressive disorder each year. These figures translate to 12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S. It's important to note, however, that depression is not a "normal part of being a woman" nor is it a "female weakness." There is no single cause of depression. There are many reasons why a woman may become depressed. These include:
Hormonal Factors: Menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, perimenopause and menopause.
Stress: At work and home, single parenthood, caring for children and for aging parents.
Family History: Depression is inherited (it's in your genes). So, if someone in your family suffers from depression, you're also at risk. However, it can also occur in people with no family history.
Medical Illness: Stroke, heart attack and cancer.
Chemical Imbalance: Changes in the brain chemistry.
Not all people with depression have the same symptoms. Some people might only have a few, and others may have them all. If you have one or more of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks or months at a time, see your doctor:
Help is Available
If you are thinking about hurting or even killing yourself, ask for help. Call 911, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE, or check in your phone book for the number of a suicide crisis center.
The centers offer experts who can help callers talk through their problems and develop a plan of action. These hotlines can also tell you where to go for more help in person.
And remember, you also can talk with a family member you trust, a clergy person or a doctor. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. We all need it at some point in our lives so don't be ashamed or embarrassed to reach out.
It is different from feeling "blue" or down for a few hours or even a couple of days. It is not a condition that can be willed or wished away.
On average, approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have been diagnosed with depression. Nearly twice as many women (12 percent) as men (6.6 percent) are affected by a depressive disorder each year. These figures translate to 12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S. It's important to note, however, that depression is not a "normal part of being a woman" nor is it a "female weakness." There is no single cause of depression. There are many reasons why a woman may become depressed. These include:
Hormonal Factors: Menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, perimenopause and menopause.
Stress: At work and home, single parenthood, caring for children and for aging parents.
Family History: Depression is inherited (it's in your genes). So, if someone in your family suffers from depression, you're also at risk. However, it can also occur in people with no family history.
Medical Illness: Stroke, heart attack and cancer.
Chemical Imbalance: Changes in the brain chemistry.
Not all people with depression have the same symptoms. Some people might only have a few, and others may have them all. If you have one or more of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks or months at a time, see your doctor:
- Feeling sad, anxious, or "empty."
- Feeling hopeless.
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed.
- Decreased energy.
- Difficulty staying focused, remembering, making decisions.
- Sleeplessness, early morning awakening, or oversleeping and not wanting to get up.
- No desire to eat and weight loss or eating to "feel better" and weight gain.
- Thoughts of hurting yourself.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
- Easily annoyed, bothered, or angered.
- Constant physical symptoms that do not get better with treatment, such as headaches, upset stomach, and pain that doesn't go away.
- Take away emotional pain and distress.
- Avoid, distract from, or hold back strong feelings.
- Try to feel better.
- Stop a painful memory or thought.
- Punish yourself.
- Release or express anger that you're afraid to express to others.
Help is Available
If you are thinking about hurting or even killing yourself, ask for help. Call 911, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE, or check in your phone book for the number of a suicide crisis center.
The centers offer experts who can help callers talk through their problems and develop a plan of action. These hotlines can also tell you where to go for more help in person.
And remember, you also can talk with a family member you trust, a clergy person or a doctor. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. We all need it at some point in our lives so don't be ashamed or embarrassed to reach out.
Follow 
