Millions of women end up diagnosed with depression each year. Statistics show that millions of women end up developing this mental health disorder in their life. They are also twice as likely as men to end up with depression. The illness can start showing itself at any age. It’s important that women living with depression get support and treatment to work through issues that arise because of the mental health disorder. If you’re ready to get treatment for your mental health condition, reach out to The Willows at Red Oak today at 855.773.0614.

Understanding Depression

Women with depression often experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness. It can keep them from doing things they used to enjoy. You may lack the motivation needed to go to work or take care of your family. It’s more than just feeling down or sad about a situation.

People diagnosed with depression experience symptoms for two weeks or longer. It’s not something they can snap out of through willpower. Some common types of depression include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Psychotic depression
• Postpartum depression
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Bipolar depression

Signs of Depression

Signs of depression can show up differently from person to person. You may want to see a mental health professional about possibly having depression if you experience symptoms like:

• Loss of appetite
• Constant feelings of sadness
• Lack of interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed
• Problems staying focused or making decisions
• Problems sleeping or sleeping too much
• Physical symptoms like an upset stomach that don’t seem to go away
• Finding yourself easily irritated or annoyed by small things
• Lack of energy
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Factors That Can Cause Depression in Women

Various biological factors can lead to depression in women. Hormonal changes can also be a contributor because of:

• Puberty: Hormonal changes associated with women can lead to the emergence of depression in young girls.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy brings on hormonal changes in the body that can affect your mood.
• Menopause: Transitioning to a state of menopause can cause fluctuations in your body’s hormone levels.
• Mental health conditions: Many women struggle with additional mental health conditions, such as anxiety, addictions, or disordered eating.

Treating Depression in Women

Mental health professionals typically work to rule out other causes of your symptoms before settling on a diagnosis of depression. They usually start by asking about your medical and mental health history. From there, they perform a physical exam and may request blood or urine samples to rule out health conditions like thyroid problems or a virus.

Recommendations for treating depression typically include attending therapy. Your doctor may also recommend that you take medication to help ease your depression symptoms. If you do not respond to treatment after a few months, you may require more intensive help for your depression.

Holistic Treatment Option

One course of action that might help is admitting yourself to a wellness recovery center. The Willows at Red Oak provides help for women dealing with depression and substance abuse issues. We believe in taking a holistic approach to treatment.

Our goal is to make sure that our clients leave with the tools needed to navigate life more healthily. The Willows at Red Oaks staff believes in creating treatment plans designed to deal with each client’s individual issues. We employ substance abuse and mental health clinicians licensed to treat both mental health issues and substance use disorders.

Get Help at The Willows at Red Oak

The Willows at Red Oak offers you the chance to reset and regain perspective as you work to overcome depression and other mental health disorders. We offer a variety of programs designed to help with different issues, including:

• Addiction therapy services
• Long-term drug rehab center
• Disordered eating support
• Dual diagnosis treatment center

Learn more about The Willows at Red Oak by calling 855.773.0614.