Signs of Depression in Women: When to Seek Help
Depression is a common condition women face. Fortunately, it’s very treatable. Learn more about the telltale signs of depression and anxiety in women to look for, when it's advised to seek professional help, and the treatment options available.
Did you know? About 1 in 6 women in the United States experience depression, a rate nearly double for men. However, recognizing the symptoms of depression in women can be difficult when it's happening to you. If you’re a woman aged 18-65, ask yourself: Have you been recently experiencing persistent unexplained sadness, fatigue, or irritability? Do you know what depression looks and feels like? Did you know that depression is experienced differently by women compared to men? Do you know your options for support when it’s needed?
Then, take a moment to ask yourself, “Am I depressed?”
The first thing to understand is that reaching out for support demonstrates how strong you are; it's not a sign of weakness. Different approaches are available to meet your treatment needs, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Early intervention can make the healing journey better and more rewarding.
Following are insights into how to watch for depression in yourself or other women, and what to do if you notice signs of depression, anxiety, or overall mental “unwellness.”
Understanding Depression: It's More Than Just Feeling Sad
Are you feeling a type of sadness that seems to go beyond simply having a bad day, or a rough week? Have you been feeling hopeless, sad or overwhelmed, exhausted all the time, or lacking the energy to do even trivial self-care tasks?
A persistent experience of sadness, anxiety, emptiness, or emotional “unwellness” is more than having the blues—it's a medical condition that may require treatment.
Depression Is a Medical Condition
Depression is a mood disorder with the primary symptom of a lasting feeling of sadness and disinterest. The impact is severe: it affects how you feel, think, and behave, and can cause both emotional and physical symptoms. You may find that accomplishing day-to-day activities is difficult, or might feel like life simply is not worth living.
The causes of depression are complex and may involve an interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Friends and family may encourage depression sufferers to “snap out of it” or “pull yourself together;” however, it's not that simple.
Depression vs. Normal Sadness
If you search for “What are signs of depression in women?”, the results often focus on the difference between depression and normal sadness. As explained above, depression is a persistent feeling of sadness over many weeks or months that interferes with daily life. A person experiencing normal sadness might be able to point to a cause, such as the loss of a loved one or a specific life experience. They also can maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns, participate in everyday activities, and will begin to feel better in a few days or weeks.
What Causes Depression in Women?
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that cannot be overcome simply by “snapping out of it,” and is complex in its origins, symptoms, and diagnosis. Science and medicine have combined to provide an understanding of why women are depressed at higher rates than men:
Biological Factors
Episodes of depression in women correlate with unique hormonal changes, most often during puberty, prior to menstruation, during or following pregnancy, and at perimenopause. Hormonal fluctuations affect brain chemistry and may be intensified by genetic factors or certain medical conditions.
Psychological Factors
Negative emotional behaviors and circumstances play a large role in how women experience depression. Unresolved trauma can be a factor by itself, or cause poor self-esteem, sensitivity to rejection, and negative thinking patterns and emotionality. Learning how to recover from grief and loss can be important in preventing depressive spirals.
Social & Environmental Factors
Trauma from social or environmental factors also can create fertile ground for women to develop depression and anxiety. Life stressors include adverse childhood experiences, puberty, the burden of caregiving for a child or family member, and domestic abuse or violence. Women who suffer from isolation or social inequality are also more likely to be depressed.
What Are the Top Signs of Depression in Women?
The most common experiences and signs of depression and anxiety in women are:
Persistent Sadness or Emptiness
Sadness is normal, but it goes away. When sadness and emptiness last for weeks or months and interfere with everyday life, depression is a likely cause. Depression may be indicated when “the blues” extend beyond a few hours or days.
Overwhelming Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is a function of normal life. However, intense, persistent, and uncontrollable worry can disrupt daily life and cause uncomfortable or dangerous physical symptoms, including chest pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness, and insomnia.
Severe Fatigue & Loss of Energy
Lingering tiredness and chronic fatigue can leave you too exhausted to manage the routines of daily life. Related symptoms can include lack of energy, drowsiness, apathy, and “brain fog” that makes remembering and focusing difficult.
Feelings of Hopelessness
Persistent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism create unwelcome and debilitating emotions. Dismal expectations, blocked goal-directed behavior, and helplessness can spiral into a heavy and painful lived experience.
Social Isolation & Withdrawal
Withdrawing from relationships, contact with, or support from others is one of the key signs of anxiety and depression in women. Social isolation and withdrawal put you at risk of developing acute mental and physical health conditions.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Excessive Guilt
Persistent feelings of low self-esteem and/or feeling like a failure are among the symptoms of depression in women. Regret, remorse, and spiraling shame can create the unhealthy and false belief that YOU are the problem.
Intense Irritability or Anger
Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness can manifest as gnawing anger that is difficult to control. Difficulty sleeping, waking too early, or oversleeping can contribute to mood swings that are a challenge to manage.
Depression: Physical & Cognitive Symptoms
Symptoms of depression in women go far beyond persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety. Depression shows itself in your body and your mind through a variety of debilitating symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
- Sleep disturbances: These can be expressed as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (uncontrollable daytime sleep or excessively long nighttime sleep.
- Appetite/weight change: Depression symptoms more commonly involve disordered eating and weight gain, but loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss are also possible.
- Unexplained physical pain: Depression may cause chronic headaches, backaches, and muscle aches.
- Decreased sex drive: A common symptom of depression is the inability to enjoy previously desired activities, which can include sexual activity.
Cognitive & Behavioral Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating & brain fog: Cognitive impairment related to depression makes thinking, concentrating, and remembering more difficult.
- Loss of interest in activities: Also known as anhedonia, you may experience a reduced ability to feel pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Neglecting self-care: Depression can short-circuit your ability to identify and meet daily needs, including eating, sleeping, and grooming.
These and other depression symptoms can severely disrupt your life; however, help is available. Reaching out for support is the first step in your wellness journey. Our team is ready to learn about your experience and begin a conversation about rediscovering the healthy life you deserve. Schedule an appointment today.
Types of Depression Unique to Women
Depression can be unique for women, compared to men, as women can experience forms of depression linked to reproductive hormones and life stages. Effective treatment requires understanding this essential difference and tailoring treatment appropriately.
Three types of depression that are unique to women are:
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
PMDD is the most severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome. In addition to the typical physical symptoms of bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness, severe symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Unpredictable mood changes
- Suicidal ideation
Perinatal Depression (Pregnancy or Postpartum)
Perinatal depression affects approximately one in seven women during pregnancy or within the first year following childbirth. Common symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Feelings of hopelessness or anhedonia
Perimenopausal Depression
Perimenopause-related depression affects 20-40% of women who experience fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels during perimenopause. Typical symptoms are:
- Depression
- Unpredictable mood changes
- Disrupted sleep
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
How is Depression in Women Treated?
For many women who are feeling depressed, understanding the need for help and reaching out for support is the hardest part of the journey. So, what's next?
Your initial appointment is an opportunity to have a compassionate conversation about yourself and discuss your history, current symptoms, and mental health goals. That provides a framework for a professional mental health clinician to collaboratively develop a treatment plan that takes you from where you are to the person you want to be.
Treatment options include:
- Therapy: Get matched with the right therapist for your personalized needs, including options for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Medication: Psychiatric consultations are advised for challenges that benefit from a medication management approach.
- Integrated care: Approaches that combine therapy and psychiatric interventions can drive better outcomes.
- Complementary strategies: Online and telehealth options can be just as effective as traditional approaches, with benefits of improved accessibility, privacy, and convenience.
When Should You Seek Help for Depression?
If you feel like you may be depressed, it's normal to also feel nervous talking about it. However, women's mental health professionals want to help you feel like you again. You can have a non-judgmental conversation about your symptoms and discuss treatments that work.
The “Two Week Rule”
Mental health professionals use the “two week rule” in cases of potential depression: the symptoms must persist for at least two weeks to receive a diagnosis. This ensures that the depression is clinically significant and more than episodic sadness.
Don't Wait for the Worst Symptoms
Getting treatment for depression early is linked to better outcomes. Depression itself makes reaching out for help more difficult; however, if you recognize the symptoms, you can take quicker action to treat them. You know you best—trust your instincts that you can and deserve to feel better.
Don't Let Common Barriers Stand in Your Way
Don't talk yourself out of getting help. Cost or privacy concerns, social stigma attached to mental health issues, responsibilities at work or school—all of these take a backseat to supporting your wellness. A health care provider can help you choose the best path forward.
When to Seek Immediate Help
If you believe you are at risk of harming yourself, immediately call 911 in the United States or your local emergency number.
In the US, you may also call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
US veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also text 838255, or chat online.
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Depression Self-Check
Have you persistently experienced any of the following symptoms for two or more weeks?
☐ Persistent sadness, emptiness, or anxiety
☐ Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
☐ Severe fatigue or low energy
☐ Sleep changes (too much or too little)
☐ Appetite or weight changes
☐ Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
☐ Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
☐ Irritability or anger
☐ Unexplained physical pain
☐ Thoughts of death or suicide
If you have checked one or more boxes, consider scheduling an appointment today. With help, you can feel better.
Getting Help at SOL Mental Health
Reaching out for support is a pivotal moment in your personal wellness journey. Personalized guidance is available from the SOL Mental Health team of compassionate clinicians and professionals, who offer specialized expertise in women's mental health.
Same-Week Appointments
We offer same-week booking and priority assessment, so you can access professional help as quickly as possible to begin your recovery journey.
Integrated Psychiatry + Therapy
Benefit from guidance on appropriate psychiatric or therapy treatments, or a blend of both.
Insurance Accepted
Making treatment affordable is a priority. We offer assistance in navigating your coverage options.
Local Clinicians
In-person clinicians are available in select areas, for the highest level of personalized face-to-face care.
What to Expect
Help for feelings of being depressed, feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or “unwell” is available. Your wellness journey begins with a conversation. Book an appointment today to benefit from a supportive process that is designed to compassionately understand your mental health experience and specific needs.
FAQs
Q: Will depression treatment show up on my medical or employment records?
A: SOL Mental Health is a strong supporter of patients' rights to privacy. Mental health treatment, including for depression or anxiety, is protected by HIPAA, the federal law that protects sensitive patient information from disclosure without your consent. Employers are, in almost all cases, prevented from accessing detailed medical records without your written consent. HIPAA and other federal, state, and local statutes exist to build trust between patients and mental healthcare providers and to encourage you to seek treatment without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
Q: How do I know if I need a therapist, a psychiatrist, or both?
A: Typically, therapists are best suited for exploring and managing non-critical emotional or behavioral issues. Psychiatrists are generally a better choice for long-term conditions that require medical management, including those that present with acute, severe, or debilitating symptoms. A combined approach is often recommended for complex conditions. The most important factor is to have a knowledgeable and trusted healthcare provider on your side. The experts at SOL Mental Health can help you make more informed and effective decisions about your mental health.
Q: Can I get better without medication?
A: Yes! However, this is a personal decision that is best made with support from a psychiatric clinician. Mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression in women can be relieved with a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and appropriate self-care, among other treatments. Medication is typically reserved for instances when “unwellness” problems are complex, or symptoms are acute, severe, or debilitating. The experienced clinicians at SOL Mental Health can help you understand the full range of treatment choices available.
Q: Will my insurance cover depression treatment?
A: Most major insurance providers have plans that provide either coverage or cost reduction for mental health services. SOL accepts many insurance plans and we work closely with providers to help make treatment affordable. Our team can help you navigate your plan and access the highest level of benefits you are entitled to—schedule an appointment with the SOL Health Benefits Team to learn more.
Q: How long until I begin to feel better?
A: Treatment outcomes vary according to each patient. A common timeline is that patients notice some improvement within 4-6 weeks of beginning therapy. Medications also typically require 4-6 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effects. The SOL Mental Health team of compassionate clinicians works individually with every patient to help them enjoy treatment benefits and symptom relief as quickly as possible.
Q: Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person treatment for depression or anxiety?
A: Multiple studies, including from the National Institutes of Health, demonstrate that telehealth or online therapy can be just as effective as in-person treatment for depression and anxiety. Telehealth solutions have additional benefits for many patients, including greater accessibility, convenience, and privacy. SOL Mental Health is focused on providing patients with the full range of therapies, so that everyone can choose the option that best meets their individual needs—we offer options for both telehealth and in-person treatment.
