Women’s Issues: Depression + Anxiety

Let’s face it we all have been depressed at one moment in our lifetime or will encounter that moment of feeling down. It could be due to a loss of a job, family history, bad break up/divorce, stress etc.. Depression in women is much higher than in men about 20% and that is do to reasons like depression after giving birth, hormonal or/and physical changes. Having depression can be serious if not treated and the best way is to communicate with someone who is dealing with it or reaching it out to someone and making them aware of your symptoms. 

I think it’s so interesting that this topic along with women suffering from anxiety is so hush, hush and some feel embarrassed to share. I have dealt with both and maybe not on a serious level but I had a few short moments of being depressed and definitely feeling anxiety. I find it my purpose to share why and what caused me to feel that way at those times. I noticed that when I opened up to other women they felt more relaxed and at ease to say they had dealt with the same things as well. There should never be a moment when any woman or person should feel judged, belittled or embarrassed by this. It’s when you allow yourself to hid behind your issue/s and not communicate with anyone by keeping the cycle and pattern going. It’s not okay for your health to pretend that everything is fine when we all have had a breaking moment.

Below are key points for Major Depression ONLY

Diminished interest or loss of pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia), Significant weight change or appetite disturbance, Sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia) Psychomotor agitation or retardation, Fatigue or loss of energy, Feelings of worthlessness, Diminished ability to think or concentrate; indecisiveness Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal A pattern of long-standing interpersonal rejection ideation, suicide attempt, or specific plan for suicide.

Another topic that seems to rule us women is anxiety. It’s such a powerful movement in women and at times I can get it simply interviewing a designer/person that I am not familiar with (so not wanting to make a mistake) or just going to my Rheumatologist (fearing something is wrong). For me it’s a few seconds of panic and my body temperature heats up. I began to get very anxiousness which causes me to over think and leads to a rapid heartbeat. I must say once I am in the moment of what I am doing the pressure in my chest goes away and I am fine. Once I am in my zone my comfort level through socializing calms me and the moment leading up to it doesn’t happen again. But for me that is when my anxiety comes while others may experience a more severe symptom from their daily activities, life stages and situations in general. Social anxiety is such a popular one for those that stay inside a lot and want to be left alone it’s even harder because the communication is mute.

Below are key points for Anxiety

Irrational fear or dread, Muscle tension, headaches, jaw-clenching, teeth-grinding, Insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, fatigue “Choked” sensation, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, IBS, Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, palpitations, Jumpiness, irritability, twitchiness, shakiness, Sweating, sudden changes in body temperature, hot flashes, Tearfulness, depression (two-third of people with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression at some point in their lives)*

When To Take Action

If you notice your symptoms of depression and anxiety has been in a 6 month period it’s best to reach out to someone for support. It’s always best to be open into talking with someone and getting your life back. Even if you know someone that may be dealing with something reach out and see if they need that support system.

When did you feel a moment of depression or anxiety? How did you deal with it?

 

Check back for the debut of a monthly women’s issues v-log discussing major topics us women deal with.