Recognising Depression in Women: Unique Symptoms and Considerations

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects both men and women. But when it comes to depression in women, the symptoms and contributing factors can be very specific.

Depression is more common in women than in men, with 1 in 6 women in Australia experiencing depression at some point in their life.

Unique considerations of depression in women include pregnancy, infertility, domestic violence and menopause.

Here, we let the experts at Medmate explain recognising depression in women and how we can help you or a loved one get treated for depression:

Unique contributors to depression in women

Depression can be caused by several factors which are applicable to both men and women, such as personality style, biological factors, environmental factors and others. However, there are also a number of contributors which are unique to the experience of a woman:

Being a carer
While not unique to women, 2 out of 3 women are primary carers for children, parents and partners. Being a carer and balancing this role with other responsibilities can create a lot of pressure, and make it harder for women to prioritise their physical and mental health.

Pregnancy and child birth
Antenatal (during pregnancy) and postnatal (after pregnancy) depression are common forms of the mood disorder. While 80% of women experience the ‘baby blues’ one or two days after giving birth, antenatal depression affects 1 in 10 women, and postnatal depression affects 1 in 6 women.

Menopause

Hormonal changes experienced during menopause can also increase a woman’s risk of mental health issues.

Domestic violence
Domestic violence can also contribute to mental illnesses such as depression. 1 in 6 women have experienced violence by an intimate partner in Australia.

Infertility and miscarriage
Infertility and miscarriage are commonly experienced by women and couples, and can lead to depression in women with strong desires to have children.

Symptoms of depression in women can present at any age.

Recognising the symptoms of depression in women

There are several signs to look out for when recognising depression in women:

Stressed, indecisive and uneasy
Women are more likely to appear stressed, indecisive and uneasy when experiencing depression. Simple tasks may seem difficult and overwhelming to them.

Loss of interest
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities is another sign of depression, in both women and women.

Panic attacks
Women are twice as likely to experience panic attacks than men, and it’s a common symptom of depression in women.

How to get mental health help with Medmate

If you or a woman you care about is experiencing depression, contact the team at Medmate for a telehealth consult today. We are a caring team of telehealth professionals for mental illness, helping women get treated for depression. Our team of non-judgemental doctors, nurses and online psychologists are dedicated to giving expert treatment for mental illness. Book in for a consultation today and get your mental health back on track.