Everyone feels sad once in a while but if you feel sad for more than two weeks, you may have a condition called clinical depression. This is a very common mental health disorder that can affect anyone of any age at any time but is most common in women in their late 20s and early 30s. In fact, it is so common that over 15 million people in the United States suffer from some kind of depression every year. That is about 7% of the population and approximately 70% of those with depression are women.
Symptoms of Depression
Although there are various types of depression and some have different symptoms, the most common signs include:
Types of Depression
Some of the different types of depression include:
Why Are Women Affected More Often Than Men?
Nobody knows for sure why women are more susceptible to depression than men but it has been speculated that it could be hormones or genetics. Some of the most commonly cited sources for depression include:
Treatments for Depression
One of the most common treatments for depression is antidepressant medication such as Prozac or Zoloft. However, some experts believe that this should be used as a last resort. Other treatments that have been known to be successful include:
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know has symptoms of depression that last more than two weeks, you need to talk to someone. You can reach out to friends or family, your family physician, or a therapist. If you do not have a therapist already, there are plenty of websites online that can help you find one. Many now offer online therapy that can be even better for patients with depression because sometimes it is just so difficult to get up and get out of the house.
About the Author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade; covering a variety of health related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
Female depression
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Depression and anxiety
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