We all experience periods of sadness from time to time. Still, if you experience prolonged sadness accompanied by feelings of irritability, fatigue, helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, you may be experiencing depression. Clinical depression is common throughout the world, and women are about 50% more likely to experience it than men.1
At Hill Country, we understand the complex nature of clinical depression and how it impacts women differently than men. Living with untreated depression can make even the simplest of tasks feel overwhelming. If you are struggling with depression, you can find relief through mental health treatment in Texas at Hill Country. We offer a range of inpatient and outpatient programs to meet your unique needs and circumstances, including treatment for co-occurring substance use issues. Call 1.844.675.1628 to learn about depression treatment options at Hill Country.
What to Know About Depression in Women
Depression remains widely misunderstood among the general public, in part because of the overuse and misuse of the term. Many people say they are depressed when what they are really experiencing is sadness. Then, because they feel better quickly, they don’t understand how others experiencing true depression can’t just “snap out of it.” This perspective adds to the stigma about seeking depression treatment.
Not only is depression more prevalent in women, but it presents differently. Men struggling with depression tend to exhibit symptoms of irritability, anger, and aggression.2 Rates of suicide are also higher in men with depression. By contrast, the following are typical symptoms of depression in women:
- Increased levels of guilt and self-blame
- Physical issues, including digestive problems, headaches, and chronic pain
- Changes in appetite, including overeating or not eating enough
- Intense emotional reactivity
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, and making decisions
- Fatigue and low-energy
- Poor self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
Hormones, societal pressures, body image issues, gender discrimination, challenges with work-life balance, caregiver stress, and issues in intimate relationships are factors that contribute to depression in women. Additionally, women are more likely to experience trauma around physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, which are frequent underlying causes of depression in women.
The Importance of Talking About Women’s Mental Health
Talking about mental health has long been taboo. However, the consequences of not doing so are significantly consequential. Conversations about mental health challenges like depression help reduce stigma and encourage women to seek help without fear of judgment. In recent years, social media platforms and the phenomenon of public figures talking openly about their mental health struggles have significantly helped to destigmatize depression and other mental health conditions.
Women play central roles in families and many community arenas, so their mental health directly affects countless others. Prioritizing women’s mental health results in better parenting, healthier relationships, and stronger community bonds. Other benefits of talking about women’s mental health can include:
- Increasing access to mental health services
- Reducing the risks of chronic illnesses
- Advocating for gender-informed care
- Fostering empowerment and resilience
- Shining a light on domestic abuse and violence against women
- Helping women foster healthy support networks
Overall, talking about women’s mental health challenges cultural norms and helps break down the personal and societal barriers to treatment. At Hill Country, we are proud to be activists for supporting women’s mental health and providing accessible treatment for women and their families.
Call Hill Country for Women’s Mental Health Treatment in Texas
The causes and impacts of depression are different for women than men.3 At Hill Country, we recognize these differences and provide mental health treatment specifically designed to meet the unique needs of women.
We know that women struggling with depression frequently have co-occurring substance use disorders as a result of self-medicating with alcohol or medications prescribed for anxiety and depression. Therefore, we offer co-occurring disorder treatment to address both conditions. Trauma-informed therapy is also a central component of our women’s treatment program, as unresolved trauma is often a root cause of depression and substance use disorder in women.
Depression is treatable and does not have to control your life. Call Hill Country today at 1.844.675.1628 or complete the online form to enroll in mental health treatment and begin your path to healing and recovery.
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