Samindara Hardikar-Sawant
We live in an era where our world appears more fragmented, hectic, and tumultuous than ever before. It is no surprise then that many of us, from time to time, experience moments of despondency, confusion, and a sense of being adrift. While having such moments is one thing, being clinically depressed is quite another – it is a medical condition that needs intervention and treatment. The diagnosis of clinical depression is steadily climbing, with depression now acknowledged as a malaise of contemporary living.
Known for her bubbling energy and contagious enthusiasm, Shilpa is a chatterbox who can talk nineteen to the dozen. Her ready laughter, witty comebacks, and funny jokes have defined her personality. For the last few months though, she has been noticing a drop in her energy levels. Family and friends have also noticed that she has started keeping to herself, is constantly eating, and seems to have an insatiable need for sleep. In fact, getting up in the morning has become an impossible thing, and every task seems to require just too much effort and energy. She no longer enjoys meeting people, dancing, or going for walks.
While depression often arises from a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, biological imbalances, environmental stressors, and psychological factors, it is a well-documented and researched fact that women are twice as more likely to suffer from depression as compared to men. Reasons for the same are manifold. Not only do women have their own, unique biological and hormonal make-up, which makes them more susceptible to depressive episodes, their social experiences and gender role demands also have a big part to play in this. Let us briefly try to understand what causes women to be more vulnerable to depression.
Hormonal fluctuations: The onset of puberty brings on an onslaught of hormones for both boys and girls, and mood fluctuations are commonly seen in all adolescents. However, for girls, puberty marks the onset of significant changes in their hormonal make-up, beginning with the onset of their menstrual period. From now, their bodies must ride through the monthly cycle of highs and lows, brought about by shifting hormonal dynamics.
Gender role demands: Upbringing and societal expectations related to gender roles may contribute to the emergence of depression in women. It has been observed that women in the child-bearing and child-rearing ages are particularly susceptible to depression, perhaps due to a combination of intense hormonal fluctuations as well as the increasing demands that motherhood brings on women. The demands of the feminine role may often clash with the aspirations and expectations women may hold for themselves, resulting in confusion, and all too often, depression.
Unrealistic workloads: Many women balance careers outside the home with domestic responsibilities, which can lead to overwhelming workloads.
Caregiving responsibilities: Women frequently find themselves in the role of primary caregivers for children, as well as for sick or elderly family members. Balancing these caregiving duties with other commitments can be emotionally and physically taxing.
Now in her late 40s, Myra felt bitter and resentful all the time. While she should have been at the height of her career, she was left grappling with ailing parents and in-laws. Her husband Manish, a high-profile lawyer, had his hands full creating his career and providing for the family.
Myra, on the other hand, who had been looking forward to re-igniting her professional aspirations since the children were old enough, was suddenly pushed into the role of caring for her mother-in-law, who was diagnosed with cancer. Her own parents were getting increasingly dependent on her, and she found herself running for their errands as well. Feeling like a trapped animal, Myra had the sinking realisation that that was the end of her professional aspirations. She withdrew, becoming increasingly withdrawn, sad and irritable, lost interest in herself, and shut the door on her dreams.
History of abuse: Women who have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, whether in childhood or adulthood, are at a heightened risk of developing depression. Unfortunately, women are more likely than men to experience sexual abuse, and the trauma from such experiences can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
How do I know if I am depressed?
While the symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, and range from mild, to moderate, to severe, following are some common symptoms of depression:
- Sad or depressed mood
- Losing interest in pleasurable activities
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Changes in appetite (over eating or under eating)
- Weight fluctuations (gaining or losing weight)
- Changes in sleep patterns (too much or too little sleep)
- Concentration difficulties
- Loss of focus
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Ideas of self-harm or suicide (in severe cases)
A word of caution – please do not self-diagnose. If you notice more than 4-5 of the above symptoms in yourself for over two weeks, it is important to see a doctor or a psychologist, and get yourself evaluated for depression. Do not brush it off, or tell yourself to “snap out of it”.
It is also important to know that certain kinds of depression are seen only in women, and certain periods in their life are particularly prone to the impact of depression. Some examples include:
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Rare must be the woman who has not experienced mood swings and irritability as part of her premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Experts today agree that for some women, the PMS takes on a more intense form, which is now known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD brings forth severe symptoms including depressed mood, irritability, suicidal thoughts, changes in appetite, bloating, breast tenderness, and muscle or joint pain.
Perinatal Depression: Popularly known as postpartum depression, this occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth and extends beyond the typical postpartum blues. Women experiencing perinatal depression often grapple with profound sadness, anxiety, and fatigue, which may impede their ability to manage daily activities and caregiving responsibilities.
Perimenopausal Depression: This emerges during the transition to menopause. While menopausal symptoms like irregular periods, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and hot flashes are common, heightened feelings of irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of pleasure may indicate the presence of depression.
Some dos and don’ts when you are suffering from depression
- Don’t isolate yourself. Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends, your religious advisor, and your family doctor.
- Don’t make major life decisions (for example, about separation or divorce). You may not be thinking clearly right now, so your decisions may not be the best ones for you.
- Don’t blame yourself for your depression. You didn’t cause it.
- Don’t be discouraged about not feeling well right away. Be patient with yourself.
- Don’t give up.
- Do exercise every day to make yourself feel better and to get more energy.
- Do eat balanced meals and healthy food, and get enough sleep.
- Do take your medicine and/or go to counselling as often as your doctor tells you to. Your medicine won’t work if you only take it once in a while.
- Do set small goals for yourself, because you may have less energy.
- Do encourage yourself.
- Do get as much information as you can about depression and its treatment.
- Do call your doctor or the local suicide crisis centre right away if you start thinking about ending your life.