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Causes, symptoms, forms, how to deal with depression in women?

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Feelings of grief and sadness is familiar to all people. Sometimes it happens that the depression haunt you for a long time and does not receive pleasure from life. In this case, the pop up words like "depression", "depressive disorder". Because of the nature of the psyche lingering melancholy are more prone to women. Doctors say today that severe or clinical depression is common among the fair sex 2-3 times more often than men. How to recognize depression, get out of this state and start living with a positive attitude?


What is depression?

Women's depression is not simply bad mood. It is now fashionable to mean any bouts of melancholy and apathy. In fact, depression belongs to the disease, with varying degrees of severity and their symptoms. In time this condition man can not live a normal life and to work, learn and perform their daily duties. Sadness and apathy are pronounced and last for a long time, at least 2 weeks. There are instances when depression is accompanied by a person six months or more.

Lingering melancholy never occurs in a vacuum. The disease is preceded by a crisis, some important events in life. The death of a loved one, divorce, dismissal from work, expulsion from the Institute, the rupture of important social ties – the reason for the disorder is always a personal touch.

There are people with mental warehouse of the individual, have a strong stressful situation triggers the disease. If alone or with the help of specialists does not solve the problem, the depression can be delayed and cause serious harm to the psyche of man and his socialization. Loved ones women, prone to melancholy, you need to be especially careful and watch out for alarming symptoms.


Symptoms of depression in women

Because women are more emotional by nature, they need to listen more closely to your soul. Symptoms of depression are vast and affect both the emotional and bodily manifestations. When Troubleshooting you need to consider that should be some of the signs of depressive disorders, which disturb the womanmore than 2 weeks, interfere with her to live and work. In short, are sufficiently pronounced and permanent.

Among the emotional manifestations of depression are usually distinguished:

  • Feelings of sadness, constant depression and depressed mood.
  • A sense of despair, loss of meaning of life.
  • The aggravation of different fears and phobias.
  • Disturbing thoughts, accompanied by inner tension and sense of foreboding.
  • Irritable without particular reasons, sudden mood swings.
  • Guilt and self-flagellation.
  • Low self-esteem, self-confidence. Woman looking his shortcomings and constantly dissatisfied with himself.
  • Classes that previously brought happiness and pleasure, more is not encouraging enough.
  • The interest of the outside world is reduced.
  • A woman becomes emotionless, there is "stupidity" feelings.
  • There is increased anxiety and concern for health and the fate of loved ones.
  • There is fear of making an error while performing public Affairs.

Equally important in the diagnosis of physical symptoms of depression. It is especially important to pay attention to them, an inability women adequately describe my feelings and emotions.

Bodily symptoms of depressive disorders are quite common:

  • The dream is broken. Possible both insomniaand hypersomnia.

  • There is a disorder of appetite. He either disappears, or is significantly increased.
  • Disturbed function of the intestine. The most frequent are constipation.
  • Disappears or is significantly reduced libido. Sex becomes uninteresting and unnecessary.
  • Reduced energy potential, the usual physical or mental stress causes lack of energy, fatigue.
  • Pain and discomfort in the body. Localization – the heart, stomach, muscles.

It happens that a woman treats physical ailments and neglects symptoms of depression so it is important that a comprehensive diagnosis, which allows to identify the behavioural manifestations of depression.

Behavioral symptoms of the disease are the following:

  • Apathy, passivity, lack of desire to engage in active and purposeful activity.
  • The decrease in socialization. Woman avoids contact with other people, often withdraws, loses interest in other people.
  • A conscious rejection of entertainment.
  • addiction. A woman resorts to alcohol, cigarettes and other psychoactive substances that give temporary relief.
  • Reduces the requirements for personal hygiene.

There are also so-called "mental, cognitive symptoms of depression."

Specialists in the diagnosis of the disease pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty in focusing and concentration on an object.
  • Complexity in decision-making.
  • The dominance of negative and anxious thoughts regarding his personality, life, world.
  • Suicidal thoughts.
  • There are thoughts of personal worthlessness, helplessness and uselessness.
  • Thought processes slow down, there is the effect of "retardation".

The specialist usually makes the diagnosis "depression" on the basis of several signs that occur at least 2-3 weeks. Only a comprehensive diagnosis capable of identifying the presence of depression, its stage form. But to the woman or her loved ones to recognize the disease, you must know the signs of depression. Therefore, self-diagnosis is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.


Causes of depression in women

Any disease is easier to prevent, so it is important to know about the causes of the prolonged depression and apathy. The origins of the disease could be genetic in nature and have the external conditions.

  • Genetic causes of depression in women. If in the female line had already met the disease, especially in the clinical form, and other family members may experience the same problems. But it does not mean that if your mom suffered from depression, hence, you are 100% sick of this disease.
  • Biochemical factors. Experts note that women suffering from major depression, biochemical processes in the brain different from the ordinary. The disorder can also be caused by certain medications, particularly hormonal drugs. There are cases when medicines taken by the woman, on the contrary, mitigate symptoms of depression.
  • The surrounding world and social environment. A trigger that starts depression, often become the stresses of the outside world. The loss of a loved one, conflict relationships with loved ones, the birth of a child, the loan and other cashproblems, loss of a job can all trigger the development of depression in women. In the absence of organized social life as a woman forced to provide for the family alone, the likelihood of depression at a certain warehouse of character multiplies. Also complex relationship with spouse, lack of happiness in marriage may trigger a depressive disorder. Social causes of depression among women also include the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Mild disorders of the emotional background at the same aggravated by pernicious habits, causing development of the disease.

  • Other psychological and social causes. Pessimists and people with reduced self-esteem are more prone to depressive disorders. Self-esteem in women is fragile and often dependent on external factors, admiration and the approval of other people. The inability to respond adequately to stress and negative manifestations of the external world provokes a prolonged depression and emotional disorders. Women were more likely to think negatively, so it is harder for them to resist stress. If we consider the causes of depression in women based on their life path, then each will have their own age cut the origins of the emergence of the disease.

  • Youth. Research experts say that at the moment when a girl becomes a teenager, and this is the age of 11-13 years, the level of depression begins to grow rapidly. Hormonal changes, psychological factors, personality problems contribute to the emergence of depression as well as anxiety disorders, abnormalities of eating behavior. If in adolescence the girl was subject to sexual violence, the likelihood of severe, clinical depression increases several times.
  • Reproductive age. The behavior of women depends on hormones, their mood is affected by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause. The presence of infertility or a deliberate decision not to have children can cause depression. If the woman began pronounced postpartum depression, so she had previously experienced similar difficulties. Postpartum depression can manifest in mild mood swings, bouts of depression and can take the form of serious illness, accompanied by loss of ability to care for the child. A pregnancy rarely causes depression. Even a deliberate abortion does not always lead to persistent depression and psychosomatic disorders. Postpartum depression occurs in 10-15% of women.The causes often lie in the hereditary factors, hormonal changes and increased emotional and physical burden on the woman. Crashing their way of life, it is impossible to live as before, there is a responsibility for the child. Often especially depressed single mothers. Husbands, suspecting the wife of postpartum depression should take steps. Otherwise there is a risk of life as a young mother and child. If after the birth of first child the woman was treated for severe depression, a greater likelihood that the re-birth will cause the same symptoms. It is important to be prepared and start the treatment as early as possible.

  • Old age. Loneliness, alienation of children, loss of spouse, friends may contribute to depression in the elderly. Old people tend to spleen, left alone. Abandonment issues can torment the woman very much. It is important to look for inspiration and the meaning of life for grandchildren, Hobbies, gardening, etc.

Forms of depression

Experts distinguish today several dozens of forms of depression, only about sixty. The most common today is bipolar, postpartum, the great depression.

The main forms of depressive disorders is the following:

  • Major depression. It is called "monopolar"or clinically expressed. The disease is accompanied by melancholy, reduced self esteem, negative mood,"block" thinking, mood swings. In protracted form requires the intervention of a doctor and taking antidepressants.
  • Psychotic form. In addition to developing depression, hallucinations, delusions. High probability of suicide because of depression.
  • Bipolar form. It got its name due to the alternation of liftings of mood, wearing a maniacal character and periods of sharp decline, when the sad mood prevails. In the intervals between the jumps of mood and activity mood normal person. Manic depression harder to therapy. Due to bursts of manic activity a person can harm themselves and others, to commit unlawful acts.
  • Seasonal depression. Is the spring and autumn depression. Often found among women. Features of daylight and hormonal changes impose certainthe imprint on the female psyche. Sometimes with seasonal depression a woman can not cope on their own, and it goes into a more serious stage.
  • Physical form. Occurs as a result of a serious illness threatening the life and health of women. After a hard diagnosis comes depression. Often accompanies cancer, disabilities, injuries and other diseases, "unsettling".
  • Post-partum depression. Refers to severe depressive disorders. The disease affects psychosomatics, possibly antisocial behavior, so it cannot run. In some cases, may develop postpartum psychosis, accompanied by delusions, hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. The disorder may last from several months to several years.
  • Disturbing depression. The woman is constantly in painful hesitation and fear for loved ones, their financial standing, health, etc.
  • Dystrophic form. The disease is manifested by outbursts of irritability and angry-melancholy mood. Female "discharges" on others, but this is not a sign of fatigue or personality. Depression in severe form can become the cause of severe aggression and offending behaviour.
  • The ironic form. The disease is also called "smiling" depression. Irony and laughter are a protective reaction of the organism to stress. Dangerous form, as the woman remains a social activity, but it is often visited by suicidal thoughts.
  • Dinamicheskaja depression. Among the main signs of the disorder secrete excessive fatigue, exhaustion, constant weakness. When dinamicheskoi the form of woman is fenced off from the world.
  • Tearful depression. Men, too, despite the stereotypes, can suffer from this form of the disorder. But still, often tearful depression hurts the weaker sex. Mainly elderly women become too compassionate to myself and accuse loved ones and others the shortage of care and attention.
  • The asthenic form. Characterized by the dulling of feelings and emotions. Indifference to the surrounding world is reflected in the lack of joy and sorrow, anxiety and other emotions. A woman "forgets" about the fact that once pleased her and sincere't understand how you can feel emotions from such things.
  • Samarityanka form. Patients with this type of depression are frequent visitors to outpatient clinics. They complain of headache, burning sensation in the chest,migratory pain. Somatic symptoms while almost completely mimic known disease. If time does not recognize an underlying depression can be a long a person to heal from non-existent diseases. According to some studies, every second patient clinics are actually sick of hidden depression.

Whatever the causes and forms of depression, the disease is divided according to severity.


Degree of women's depression

Doctors today identify the following types of depression:

  • Easy;
  • Medium;
  • Heavy.

Mild depression

Mild depression may well result in a recovery without medical treatment. Symptoms are manifested subtly, rarely. Often the disease is chronic, and a woman lives in this state. Mild form of depression is called "dysthymia". The chronic form of the disease may be caused by reduced levels of the hormone serotonin in the blood.

Symptoms of mild depression is easy to diagnose:

  • Persistent feeling of sadness and emptiness.
  • Sleep disorders.
  • Persistent negative feelings: hopelessness, helplessness, guilt.
  • The loss of the "taste of life".
  • Mental or physical retardation.
  • Migraine, joint pain and digestive disorders.

  • Suicidal thoughts.

To easier the form is not turned into a more serious stage of the disease, it is advisable to take therapeutic or preventive measures. Despite myths and stereotypes, a woman suffering from depression, no one will be put on the account to the psychiatrist. Services of the clinic can be required only in the case when this was attempted suicide. For mild depression are already beginning to manifest the behavioral characteristics. For example, a woman stops to carefully monitor their appearance, losing interest in sex.

The average depression

Depression of moderate severity is already noticeable to others. The woman is hard to switch from negative thoughts. Productivity is low, many things are "automatic". Sleep disorders are of a continuing nature, to interact with others more difficult. Negative thoughts are offensive. In behaviour, there is stiffness, passivity.

Heavydepression

When severe, depression in addition to psychosomatic manifestations are added malnutrition, hygiene. The woman tries to leave the apartment, closes itself, interest in the outside world is almost completely absent. The activity and desire to do something are zero. Frequent suicidal thoughts, delusions, hallucinations. Severe depression should be treated in hospital.

To severe depression include postpartum syndrome and postpartum psychosis, so they must be treated.

How to deal with depression?

Despite the frightening symptoms and the prospects for, depression especially in the initial stage, easily therapy. Important preventive measures. If your relatives was severely depressed, try to minimize your risks.

Keep your mental and physical health, exercise routine, get enough sleep. Try to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid addictions, especially alcohol. Follow the diet, move more, especially in the fresh air. Try to minimize the stress in your life. Install with friends warm and close ties, find a hobby, look with optimism to the future.

But if depression has already happened and it is diagnosed, will help both drug treatments and alternative.

Treatment of depression with medication

Most often, especially for moderate and severe severity prescribed drug therapy. The most effective combination of medication and psychotherapy.

  • Antidepressants – a fairly known concept. Today for the treatment of patients with depression are used as the newest, including inhibitors of serotonin reuptake (SSRI) and antidepressants tricycline. A new generation of drugs usually have fewer side effects.

  • MAOI. Besides antidepressants, doctors also prescribe monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOI), they all aim to affect areas of the human brain responsible for mood and emotional background.

    Contrary to popular myth, modern antidepressants are not addictive. Depending on the severity of the disease are prescribed a course from 4 weeks to 12 months. Sufficient therapy in adequate doses can prevent relapses. The drug chosen by the doctor depending on the cause, severity of the disease and other factors. The dose appointed by the doctor in each case. Antidepressants have a prolonged effect and therapeutic effectnot to attack immediately. Therefore, the patient must tune in to the treatment and not to expect an instant cure.

  • Salt of lithium. For the treatment of bipolar disorder for many years used salt of lithium. Medication can reduce the mood swings. During treatment, closely monitor the dosage. Effective dose can easily become toxic. Salt of lithium is not recommended for use in diseases of the thyroid, kidney and heart diseases. Patients with epilepsy also not prescribed this medication.
  • Carbamazepine and valproate. To stabilize the mood and emotional background can carbamazepine and valproate. Both drugs are widely used in clinical practice to treat bipolar depression.
  • Other medicines. There are cases when in addition to antidepressants and protivokashlevyh drugs prescribed other medications, stabilizing sleep, eating behavior. Complex therapy allows to effectively fight the disease and prevent its reappearance.

Topic: List of anti-depression drugs

The effectiveness of drug treatment depends on several factors, including a trusting relationship with a doctor, quality and reliable feedback, careful adherence to dosing regimens and recommendations. It is important to understand that possible side-effects from drugs is much less impact on severe depression. To interrupt therapy, reduce dosage is recommended, randomly make the cure impossible.

The main stages of medical treatment of depression include the following steps:

  • The choice of antidepressant, selection of effective therapeutic doses and regimens.
  • The main course of therapy.
  • Supporting treatment, which usually lasts 4-6 months. It aims to prevent the disease.

Psychotherapy is effective for mild and moderate depression, is a complement to medical treatment. Women cope with depression help therapeutic conversations, psychodynamic and behavioral psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is changing negative thinking to positive human behavior changes.

An experienced therapist is capable of 10-30 sessions to help the client cope with symptoms of depression and to teach him positive responses to stress that in the future he could prevent the disease.

Depression treatment at home

Today is also widespread non-medicamental treatment of depression. Especially diseases of mild and moderate severity. At home you can treat disease with herbs, meditating, relaxing techniques.

Proven St. John's wort in the treatment of depression. Extract St. John's wort is used today even in the United States and Germany.

Also on the emotional background effect decoctions of the following herbs:

Teas and tinctures of herbs it is necessary to drink for a long time, at least 1-2 weeks and after consultation with the doctor.

Depression treatment at home involves the observance of a day regimen, diet and dealing with stress.

Topic: 3 herbs that will help with depression

The following methods help to prevent depression and cope with the disease at an early stage:

  • Eat 1 banana a day. They are rich in serotonin and can improve mood.
  • Eat 100-200 grams of carrots per day. Can be in the form of fresh juice.
  • Make evening a relaxing warm bath. In the water you can add the decoction and honey.
  • Take 15-20 drops of tincture of Eleutherococcus 2 times a day, half an hour before meals. It is advisable to drink the infusion in the morning.

  • Exclude from the diet of alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, spicy seasonings and harmful chemical additives.
  • Eat fruit, especially apples.
  • Practice meditating to relax and deal with stress.
  • Engage in a variety of activities, including yoga and other relaxing techniques.
  • In the absence of contraindications regularly visit a bath, swimming pool, exercise tempering procedures.
  • Engage in self-education and self-development, then for spleen no space.
  • Learn the techniques of positive thinking.
  • Adjust the way of life that led to melancholy and depression. Change the work environment, Hobbies, remove possible stress factors.
  • Go out every day on the street for walking.
  • Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
  • Regularly take vitamin complexes.
  • Take a course of acupuncture.
  • Sign up for a course get a relaxing massage.
  • Looking for a source of positivity in yourself, love yourself, boost your self-esteem.

If non-drug methods of treating depression does not help, you should consult a therapist or psychologist. Depression is quite a common disease. No one will hang on the woman labels and send her to the hospital. Treatment of depressive disorders in the hospital rarely happens, mostly with severe clinical manifestations. Loved ones women also need to watch out for symptoms of depression and the time to seek help.

Even if you need the prescription of antidepressants, do not be afraid. Modern drugs are not addictive, have the least side effects and in a relatively short time able to cure depression and prevent relapses.