Common Signs of Depression in Women

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Table of Contents

Depression in Women

Common Signs

What to do if you’re depressed

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Feeling depressed can impact your overall quality of life and ability to get through the day, so identifying it and getting help is imperative. Below we’re exploring how signs of depression may look a bit different in women and people assigned female at birth.

While there are some consistent signs of depression across every gender and age—including low mood and loss of motivation—depression looks different from person to person. That said, research tells us that there are some key differences concerning howdepressionpresents—and how often it occurs—in women and people assigned female at birth.

“Women are two times more likely to be diagnosed with depressive symptoms than others,” saysAudrey Connell, MA, LPC. “Factors to take into consideration are hormonal changes, biology, culture, external stressors, and life circumstances.”

Audrey Connell, MA, LPCWomen are two times more likely to be diagnosed with depressive symptoms than others.

Audrey Connell, MA, LPC

Women are two times more likely to be diagnosed with depressive symptoms than others.

Depression can also be triggered due to hormonal shifts surrounding the menstrual cycle, birth control, pregnancy, and menopause.

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Common Signs of Depression in Women

Depression varies from person to person in terms of length, severity, cause, and presentation. Generally speaking, Connell says these are some of the common signs of depression in women:

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Men can also experience the above symptoms and often do. “However, men have reported a higher tendency than women to experience anger, agitation, and irritability as the primary symptom, which can be overlooked as society tends to focus on sadness as the primary symptom,” Connell says.

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Websites like ours, as well as social media have made information about mental health conditions, including depression, way more accessible. However, it’s important to seek professional intervention versusself-diagnosisto ensure you’re led down an appropriate treatment path. A professional can also help identify any co-conditions that haven’t yet been brought to light.

You can reach out to your established care provider—such as a primary care doctor—or a mental health therapist who can provide ongoing support and tailored treatment options. If you don’t have a primary doctor or access to a therapist, yourinsurance companymay be able to connect you. There are alsoonline therapyoptions that provide digital care.

Speaking with a mental health professional to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—and in some cases taking medication or supplements to help manage systems—can dramatically help. That said, the path toward recovering from depression is a holistic one.

Ways to Alleviate Depression SymptomsHere are some things you can try to bring yourself some relief from depressive symptoms:Exercise:The antidepressant effects of exercise are well-established. A study published in Current Sports Medicine Reports concluded that exercise can be used to acutely manage symptoms of depression.Support groups:Surround yourself with others who can relate to youvia online and in-person support networks.Friends and family:A study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that peer support interventions play a key role in reducing signs of depression.

Ways to Alleviate Depression Symptoms

Here are some things you can try to bring yourself some relief from depressive symptoms:Exercise:The antidepressant effects of exercise are well-established. A study published in Current Sports Medicine Reports concluded that exercise can be used to acutely manage symptoms of depression.Support groups:Surround yourself with others who can relate to youvia online and in-person support networks.Friends and family:A study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that peer support interventions play a key role in reducing signs of depression.

Here are some things you can try to bring yourself some relief from depressive symptoms:

“The most effective treatments are ones that address all aspects of an individual: physical, mental, spiritual and social,” says Connell. “Examples of this may be talk therapy, nutrition, implementing movement and exercise, meditation and breathing, medications, and/or supplements.”

Why Saying ‘I Don’t Feel Good’ Is Important for Those Dealing With Depression

Keep in Mind

Chronic depression can wreak havoc on our lives. Recognizing that you need help and asking for it shows strength and vulnerability. Know that you aren’t alone, that you can find help, and that even the smallest steps can lead to great changes.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?.J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205Schuch FB, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Pfeiffer PN, Heisler M, Piette JD, Rogers MAM, Valenstein M.Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: A meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2011; 33(1):29–36.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?.J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205Schuch FB, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Pfeiffer PN, Heisler M, Piette JD, Rogers MAM, Valenstein M.Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: A meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2011; 33(1):29–36.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?.J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205Schuch FB, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620Pfeiffer PN, Heisler M, Piette JD, Rogers MAM, Valenstein M.Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: A meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2011; 33(1):29–36.

Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?.J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205

Schuch FB, Stubbs B.The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019;18(8):299-304. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000620

Pfeiffer PN, Heisler M, Piette JD, Rogers MAM, Valenstein M.Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: A meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2011; 33(1):29–36.

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