Is depression more common in women than in men?
Yes. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. The reason for this is unknown, but changes in a woman's hormone levels may be related to depression.
What are the symptoms?
Doctors continue to learn about how women are affected by depression, but there are some common symptoms. If you're depressed, you may have some of these symptoms nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks or longer:
- Feeling sad, hopeless and having frequent crying spells
- Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (including sex)
- Feeling guilty, helpless or worthless
- Thinking about death or suicide
- Sleeping too much, or having problems sleeping
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss or gain
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Having trouble paying attention and making decisions
- Having aches and pains that don't get better with treatment
- Feeling restless, irritated and easily annoyed
What causes depression?
Depression seems to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another. It can be triggered by stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or moving (such as leaving home to go to college). Taking certain medicines, abusing drugs or alcohol or having other illnesses can also cause depression. Depression can also be hereditary, which means it runs in families.
In the days following the birth of a baby, it is common for some mothers to have mood swings. They may feel a little depressed, have a hard time concentrating, lose their appetite or find that they can't sleep well even when the baby is asleep. This is called the baby blues and goes away within 10 days after delivery. However, some women have worse symptoms or symptoms that last longer. This is calledpostpartum depression.
In the days following the birth of a baby, it is common for some mothers to have mood swings. They may feel a little depressed, have a hard time concentrating, lose their appetite or find that they can't sleep well even when the baby is asleep. This is called the baby blues and goes away within 10 days after delivery. However, some women have worse symptoms or symptoms that last longer. This is calledpostpartum depression.
How is depression treated?
Depression can be treated with counseling, medicine or both. It's also important to take good care of yourself, to exercise regularly and to eat healthy foods. See the health tips below. Counseling alone may help if the depression isn't severe.
Antidepressant medicines are very effective in treating depression. There are many different kinds of antidepressants. Your doctor will decide which one is right for you. Medicine alone or medicine with counseling can often help most women who have depression.
Antidepressant medicines are very effective in treating depression. There are many different kinds of antidepressants. Your doctor will decide which one is right for you. Medicine alone or medicine with counseling can often help most women who have depression.
Some dos and don'ts when you're depressed
- Don't isolate yourself. Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends, your religious advisor and your family doctor.
- Don't make major life decisions (for example, about separation or divorce). You may not be thinking clearly while you are depressed, so the decisions you make at this time may not be the best ones for you.
- Don't blame yourself for your depression. You didn't cause it.
- Don't be discouraged about not feeling well right away. Be patient with yourself.
- Don't give up.
- Do exercise often to make yourself feel better. Exercise will also give you more energy.
- Do eat balanced meals and healthy food.
- Do get enough sleep.
- Do take your medicine and/or go to counseling as often as your doctor tells you to. Your medicine won't work if you only take it once in a while.
- Do set small goals for yourself, because you may have less energy.
- Do encourage yourself.
- Do get as much information as you can about depression and how to treat it.
- Do call your doctor or the local suicide crisis center right away if you start thinking about suicide.
Are antidepressants safe for any woman who has depression?
If you're planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about your medicines before you try to get pregnant. If you accidentally get pregnant while you're taking an antidepressant, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will know if your particular antidepressant is safe to take.
All medicine you take passes into your breast milk. If you are planning to breastfeed or you currently breastfeed, talk to your doctor about your medicine.
In most cases, it's okay to take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (also called HRT) at the same time as depression medicines. Taking hormones may even help some depressed women feel better. However, if your birth control pills seem to be causing symptoms of depression, discuss this with your doctor. He or she may suggest you use another method to prevent pregnancy for several months in order to find out if your birth control pills are causing depression.
All medicine you take passes into your breast milk. If you are planning to breastfeed or you currently breastfeed, talk to your doctor about your medicine.
In most cases, it's okay to take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (also called HRT) at the same time as depression medicines. Taking hormones may even help some depressed women feel better. However, if your birth control pills seem to be causing symptoms of depression, discuss this with your doctor. He or she may suggest you use another method to prevent pregnancy for several months in order to find out if your birth control pills are causing depression.
Do antidepressants have side effects?
Like most medicines, antidepressants can cause side effects. However, not all people taking antidepressants experience side effects. Any side effects you have will depend on which medicine your doctor has chosen for you.
If you're taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), you may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, sleepiness or trouble sleeping, weight loss, headaches or sexual problems (such as the inability to have an orgasm).
If you're taking a tricyclic antidepressant, you may have a dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, a "spacey" feeling, bladder problems, tiredness, sleepiness, sexual problems, dizziness, shaky hands, fast heartbeat or weight gain.
Other antidepressants can cause similar side effects. If a side effect of your antidepressant bothers you, talk to your doctor about it.
If you're taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), you may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, sleepiness or trouble sleeping, weight loss, headaches or sexual problems (such as the inability to have an orgasm).
If you're taking a tricyclic antidepressant, you may have a dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, a "spacey" feeling, bladder problems, tiredness, sleepiness, sexual problems, dizziness, shaky hands, fast heartbeat or weight gain.
Other antidepressants can cause similar side effects. If a side effect of your antidepressant bothers you, talk to your doctor about it.
How will I know if an antidepressant is helping?
You'll sleep better. Your appetite will improve and you'll have more energy. You'll have a better feeling about the future. You'll feel less sad and it will be easier to make decisions. It is important to be patient. Although you may notice improvement as soon as 1 week after you start taking an antidepressant, you probably won't see the full effects for about 8 to 12 weeks.
How long will I need to take the medicine?
How long you'll need to take the medicine depends on your depression. If this is the first time you've been depressed, your doctor will probably want you to take the medicine for about 6 months. If this is the second time you've been depressed, you'll probably take the medicine for about 1 year. However, if this is the third or fourth time you've been depressed, you may need to take the medicine for years so the depression doesn't come back.
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