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Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Females

Depression is a serious problem that affects one out of every four women, and nearly twice as many women than men, according to the National Mental Health Information Center.

Recognizing the signs of depression can be the difference between life and death. The National Mental Health Information Center states that only a fifth of women with depression receive treatment, and left untreated depression can lead to suicide--suicide attempts by women occur twice as often as attempts by men.

  1. Negative Thoughts and Feelings

    • Experiencing negative thoughts and feelings is one of the signs of depression according to the National Mental Health Information Center. Women with depression may feel empty, hopeless, worthless or a sadness that won't go away. This may be accompanied by irritability and thoughts of death or suicide. A woman with depression may lose interest in things she previously enjoyed, which can lead to problems engaging in everyday activities.

      These symptoms of depression for women will occur every day for two or more weeks, according to the University of Michigan Medical School.

    Problems Sleeping

    • Women with depression sometimes experience problems sleeping. This can mean sleeping too little or sleeping too much. The University of Michigan Medical School adds that women may have problems with concentrating, being fatigued, feeling restless or running out of energy.

    Physical Ailments

    • Women experience certain physical symptoms of depression. Physical signs of depression include fluctuations in weight due to overeating or losing appetite, headaches, general aches and pains, and digestive problems that, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, persist despite treatment.

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