The Doors to the Deep Minds - Forms of Depression in Women

Fight me all you want, but you can't convince me that depression isn't a real disorder. Trust me, many people think that it's just an illusion people create around themselves to escape reality. But if they were ever to suffer from the same, I am sure they would pray they didn't have to. This post concerns the forbidden 'D' word most of us are even scared to utter. 

 

The chemistry behind depression 

Depression is one of the leading causes of decreased quality of life in women worldwide. The disorder happens because of changes in the chemical levels in the brain, like serotonin, that are expressed as physical and mental health changes. The chemicals that are supposed to make you feel happy are reduced and the chemicals that make you feel sad and emotional are disproportionately increased.

 

 

Depression in women

Depression is mainly found to affect women more than men all over the world for obvious reasons. As women, we are all always under pressure, constantly judged, and bestowed with responsibilities that are twice our ability. Women are expected to thrive under pressure and manage family and work as opposed to men. They are also under constant stress from chronic illness, during menstruation, childbirth and the postpartum period. In addition, their treatment at home by their spouse and in-laws and societal pressure also mount the burden. 

 

 

 

Workplace harassment, prejudice at work, and increased demand at work while also handling family all contribute to the disorder. Unfortunately, if her life is also double troubled by domestic violence at home, the disease predisposition dwindles to multifold. Lack of adequate nutrition, lack of financial freedom, decreased awareness of the disease, fear of judgment, and social stigma associated with mental health problems seem to haunt women for years with respect to mental health. The women's past in itself is a factor that might induce depression, like suffering from lousy parenting as a child, always expected to excel at school, losing a parent or family member, and being a part of a problem family. All these might induce the set-in of the condition with a trivial change or new events in her life, such as childbirth and postpartum. 

 

 

The Spectrum

Depression per se is not a single condition. It's a spectrum of disorders consisting of various depressive forms like major depressive disorder, postpartum blues, seasonal affective disorder, minor depression, and dysthymia. Most people with depression will have symptoms in the form of physical, emotional and behavioural changes. Some of the features how depression presents itself are having low mood all the time, feeling sad and empty, withdrawal from surroundings and choosing lone time, not communicating with others, feeling tired and exhausted all the time, not having appetite and lack of interest in day to day activities, labile emotions, sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. 

 

What can you do to support someone suffering from depression?

 

Talk to them: I know unlike healthcare providers, family members or friends are not trained enough to talk and listen effectively to patients with mental health problems. But you can always do a little as a family member or a friend.

 

Family time: Try taking out time to spend as a family, like family dinner time, a picnic outdoors, including activities to play as a family.

 

Don't judge: Try not to judge anyone going through this phase, and they most often don't need your "maybe because you did this" or "maybe you shouldn't have" advice. All they need is your support in the form of words and presence.

 

 

 

Encourage therapy: People through depression may be worried about going to therapy and taking medications. But you can always encourage them to do so or help them find a good practitioner.

 

Postpartum care: The postpartum period is the most vital and delicate period of mental health. Support mothers struggling as a new parent. Don't burden them with more judgements or restrictions. The mother is as important as the baby, so always remind yourself to ask her how she is doing before you ask her to follow a new ritual. 

 

 

 

What can you do as someone suffering from depression?

 

Dedigitalise: Stay away from screens and engage yourself outdoors. Breathe in some air or take a walk. Refrain from taking google diagnosis for your symptoms that can make your condition worse.

 

Spend time with people you feel close to: Now remember that they, too, are not designed to listen to all of your problems, and that might burden them, too. But try to speak to them as much as they can take.

Eat healthy: that can make a lot of changes as most fruits, vegetables and even poultry and farm products contain chemicals that can enhance your mental hormones. 

 

 

Do what brings you peace: If you are someone who finds peace in praying, yoga, or meditation, then do it. Or maybe it can be a form of art like reading, writing, gardening or painting. Maybe even crocheting or sewing clothes. It can be anything. 

 

Seek help: Never shy away from asking for help. A psychologist or psychiatrist can make all the difference. A psychiatrist is a doctor someone who will prescribe you medications for balancing the chemicals in your brain. While a psychologist is a trained healthcare provider who will provide counselling regarding your mental health.

 

Spread awareness: If you were able to seek relief through your healthcare provider, encourage others suffering from depression to seek help as well. Our society functions by evidence-based practice, and your experience may induce confidence in someone else. So never stop speaking out for the cause. 

 

 

 

 

The challenge that comes with seeking therapy or medications is that society is conditioned in a way to judge people suffering from mental health problems and those who seek treatment for it. Sadly, even health care providers are sometimes judgemental and biased towards the patient or are incompetent to identify their problem at the earliest. However, with the right practitioner, proper treatment is highly possible, and you will find your way to a healthy mental life. 

 

 

 

As a health care provider, I would suggest you put yourself first to all who are contemplating seeking health care. Don't let anything or anyone come in between you and your health. Don't ignore signs of depression, don't compromise your health for the sake of your family or work, don't let judgements stop you from visiting your doctor, and don't stop spreading the word and educating others about it. With the change in society, we can all expect to see a positive change in attitude towards mental health in the coming future.

 

 

This post is a part of Blogchatter’s #A2Zchallenge 2024