Warning Signs of Depression

Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Ladies

Depression affects middle-aged women on many different levels by changing their eating and sleeping patterns, as well as by altering their perception and feelings. Recognizing the warning signs quickly can lessen the burden of depression on your life. They might include:

Feeling down and miserable for a long period of time without reason could be a warning sign of depression.

Sadness

Feeling down and miserable for a long period of time, often without it being triggered by a difficult or traumatic life event can indicate depression. Experiencing unexplained crying spells could be a warning sign, too.

Loss of Interest in Pleasurable Activities

Experiencing apathy and being unable to derive pleasure from the things that used to be enjoyable, such sports, travel, or meetings with friends is very common in depression. Feeling unengaged and absent-minded can be its sign, too.

Changes in Appetite

Losing appetite and interest in previously enjoyed food, resulting in weight loss, can signal depression. Seeking comfort in food and significantly increasing its daily intake, thus contributing to a weight gain, can be an indication as well.

Sleep Abnormalities

Not being able to fall asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or having a disturbed sleep are frequently experienced by depressed women. Some of them also sleep much more than previously.

Fatigue or Low Energy

Experiencing frequent headaches might signal depression. Feeling tired all the time and experiencing unexplained aches can also be warning signs. 

Poor Concentration

Having a hard time managing time, focusing at work, or remembering things to do often occurs in depression. Some depressed women also struggle to complete various daily tasks.

Low Self-esteem

Feeling guilty, worthless, and believing nothing good will ever come to you is a strong indication that you might be suffering from depression.

Slowed Movement or Speech

Speaking, walking, and doing other things, such as writing, as if in slow-motion occurs in depression, but it is one of the less common symptoms. Older women might be particularly affected.

Agitation and Purposeless Activity

Feeling restless and tense, resulting in increased physical activity, often without any purpose can signal depression, especially if it co-exists with sleep abnormalities.

Suicidal Thoughts

Thinking about dying, planning your own death, or talking about dying, for example by saying something along the lines of “things would be better without me” is a strong warning sign of depression.

Should I Be Worried?

Depression is a serious illness and should not be left untreated. It requires a proper attention of a medical doctor and accurate treatment, such as therapy or medications, to relieve the symptoms and enable you to return to your normal functioning.

If you experience persistent thoughts about death and committing suicide, seek an immediate medical help. There are multiple free 24-hour depression hotlines available throughout the country with mental health specialists on board ready to assist you. Also, your local hospital might have a psychiatric unit to keep you safe when you are in danger of hurting yourself.

Some of the warning signs of depression are also common in other medical conditions, which might prevent you or your doctor from promptly diagnosing it. Paying attention to any changes you experience, especially in your perception of life and yourself, might help you catch depression before it overwhelms you. To do so, it might be useful to familiarize yourself with the psychological and physical symptoms of depression.

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