Signs And Symptoms Of Depression In Women

The symptoms of depression in women are the same as those for major depression. Common complaints include:

Ø  Depressed mood Ø  Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy Ø  Feelings of guilt, hopelessness and worthlessness Ø  Suicidal thoughts or recurrent thoughts of death

Ø  Sleep disturbance (sleeping more or sleeping less) Ø  Appetite and weight changes Ø  Difficulty concentrating Ø  Lack of energy and fatigue

Differences between male and female depression

Although some of the signs and symptoms of depression are the same for both men and women, women tend to experience certain symptoms more often than men. For example, seasonal affective disorder depression in the winter months due to lower levels of sunlight is more common in women. Also, women are more likely to experience the symptoms of atypical depression.
In atypical depression, rather than sleeping less, eating less, and losing weight, the opposite is seen: sleeping excessively, eating more (especially carbohydrates), and gaining weight. Feelings of guilt associated with depression are also more prevalent and pronounced in women. Women also have a higher incidence of thyroid problems. Since hypothyroidism can cause depression, this medical problem should always be ruled out by a physician in women who are depressed.

Differences between male and female depression
Women tend to:		Men tend to:
Blame themselves		Blame others
Feel sad, apathetic, and worthless		Feel angry, irritable, and ego inflated
Feel anxious and scared		Feel suspicious and guarded
Avoid conflicts at all costs		Create conflicts
Feel slowed down and nervous		Feel restless and agitated
Have trouble setting boundaries		Need to feel in control at all costs
Find it easy to talk about self-doubt and despair		Find it “weak” to admit self-doubt or despair
Use food, friends, and "love" to self-medicate		Use alcohol, TV and sports to self-medicate