Shedding Light on Shadows: The Journey Through Depression in Women's Mental Health

      When a person suffers from depression, several factors usually play a role. This primarily includes a hereditary predisposition. According to current scientific knowledge, depression tends to run in families. Psychological stress such as a lack of social support and loneliness, being overwhelmed or underchallenged, severe stress or a drastic experience (e.g. separation, death of a partner, experiences of abuse) also contribute to the development of depression.

Physical changes and external factors can also increase the risk of depression, for example

  • An imbalance of certain messenger substances in the brain
  • Hormonal changes (e.g. during pregnancy or after birth.
  • Physical illnesses (e.g. thyroid dysfunction, chronic pain, Alzheimer's disease


Signs

        Many women who suffer from depression describe a persistent feeling of depression, hopelessness or despair. For other women, instead, the focus is on inner emptiness and insensitivity.

The main symptoms of depression are:

  • Depressed mood (no sadness!)
  • Loss of interest, joylessness
  • Lack of drive, increased fatigue

There are also often secondary symptoms such as:

  • Disorders of concentration, attention and thinking skills
  • reduced self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Feelings of shame, guilt and worthlessness
  • negative and pessimistic ideas about the future
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

       The persistent joylessness causes affected women to be less active. Even everyday things such as getting up in the morning, personal hygiene, everyday work or household chores require great effort. The sick are no longer resilient and withdraw more and more. However, social withdrawal can make depressive symptoms even worse.

   Physical complaints can also occur, such as:

  • Shortness of breath and cardiovascular disorders
  • dizziness
  • Sleep disorders/morning depression
  • significant loss of appetite
  • fatigue
  • Loss of sexual interest
  • Absence of menstrual bleeding


        If you have signs of depression, you should generally always seek medical treatment. If you feel the need to bring a good friend or family member with you to support you during your doctor's visit, don't be afraid to do so.