Almost all of us have gone through a period of sadness at some point in our lives – when a loved one dies, for example. Usually, though, the clouds lift after some time has passed, and we start enjoying life again. But for those with clinical depression, “the blues” just don’t go away.
Women of all ages, races and socio-economic classes can become depressed. In fact, one in four women will suffer severe depression, according to the American Psychological Association – but only one-fifth will receive the treatment they need.
Depression is one of the world’s oldest and most common health disorders that can affect the body, mood and thoughts. Millions of Americans are estimated to suffer from depression, however about twice as many women are reported to have depression as men. Depression is not the same as feeling blue; everyone has times of feeling blue. People often refer to these feelings by saying they are “depressed.” However, depression is more intense, lasts longer and significantly interferes with day-to-day activities. Many things can cause depression. Depression can run in families, be caused by living through painful and difficult events in your life, and/or is thought to involve a change in your brain chemistry. Sometimes depression can be caused by certain medications people take for cancer, arthritis, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Also, illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and hormonal problems can cause depression.
How to tell the difference between clinical depression and “the blues”
Everyone has feelings of sadness or depression occasionally. Such feelings can be caused by a failed romance or death of a loved one – or just a bad day at work. “The blues” disappear on their own, most of the time – but if they don’t, you may be clinically depressed.
Depression is a “whole-body” illness, involving your thoughts, mood and even physical health. In fact, many women who are clinically depressed feel physically ill – in effect, their depression is hidden behind physical aches and pains. The aches and pains are real – but caused by the depression. That’s why your doctor often asks you general questions about your emotional well-being when you go in for a checkup.
The symptoms and severity of clinical depression vary from woman to woman. The only constants are that the symptoms interfere with your daily life and last all or most of the time over a period of at least two weeks. Some of the more common symptoms of depression are
- Feeling empty, sad, and anxious
- Feeling tired, having no energy
- Feeling restless and irritable most of the time
- Crying more than usual
- Feeling worthless, helpless, hopeless, and guilty
- Having no interest or joy in life
- Having trouble sleeping, waking up very early in the morning
- Having problems eating too much or too little food
- Thinking about suicide and death
- Having trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
- Having physical problems that don’t go away when you take medicine, such as headaches, stomach
problems, and pains in your body
Older women who are depressed may exhibit memory loss or difficulty in concentrating – in fact, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between depression and dementia diseases associated with aging, including Alzheimer’s disease.
If you think you might be clinically depressed, your best bet is to get a comprehensive evaluation from a doctor. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, contact your doctor immediately!
Depression Treatment
If left untreated, depression may last for months or even years. The good news is that 80 percent of people with depression can be successfully treated through psychotherapy and/or drugs.
The first line of treatment for depression is psychotherapy. Some women choose to be in therapy for a short period of time, just to get through the depression – others decide to stay in therapy longer as a means of personal growth. A good therapist will help you
- Identify what is making you unhappy
- Develop concrete steps for dealing with the problem
Most people with depression get better when they get treatment. The two most common treatments for depression are medication and counseling. Support groups can often be very helpful. Healthcare providers may need to try different medicines to find the one(s) that help you the most. With many of the newer medications available to treat depression, it is important to understand you may have to take the medicine a few weeks or months before you begin to feel a change in your mood and outlook. Depression is not something you can just snap out of and feel better. It doesn’t occur because you want to be depressed but rather it is a serious medical condition that requires treatment when severe and long lasting. With proper healthcare and medications, you can get better and once again enjoy healthier, happier living.
If your depression is so severe that you’re having suicidal thoughts or can’t function at all, your doctor may prescribe anti-depressant drugs in combination with psychotherapy. These drugs correct chemical imbalances in the brain that cause or contribute to the depression.
To make a doctor appointment, call 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).
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