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Young Women and Depression: What You Should Know

Gloria Goodwin's picture
Young Women and Depression: What You Should Know

Young women go through a lot of changes as they approach the years of puberty. Not only will their body be developing and changing, their hormones will also be going wild. All of these changes can mean a girl not understanding quite what to think or what to do, but it can also mean depression. A lot of young women suffer from depression for various reasons, which is why it's important for loved ones to understand more about it.

Why Young Women Develop Depression

There are a lot of different reasons why a young woman develops depression. The hormonal changes are thought of as one of the major causes, as these affect the body's ability to think and process information. Although hormones play a major role with the depression of some women, there are other factors to consider. For example, some women are predisposed to depression through genetics. While not all women who have a family history of depression will develop it, this can be the case with some.

It's also important to consider what is going on in the life of the young woman. A breakup, death in the family or even school could be the trigger that leads to depression. Most young women aren't able to process some situations correctly, especially if their hormones are rapidly adjusting and changing. This lack of understanding and knowledge can lead to a depression spiral, which often needs to be worked out as soon as possible.

From the time a young woman reaches the age of 15 she's two times as more likely to develop depression than a young man. This increased risk means that all parents should be aware of what depression symptoms look like and how to identify them in their own children. While some women won't develop depression even though they are likely to, this isn't the case with them all.

Young Women in Childbearing Years

Postpartum depression is one of the most common types of depression among young women. This occurs after giving birth and can last for a long time if left untreated. Around 25% of women will suffer from this type of depression, but fortunately there is screening available at most hospitals that can determine which women are suffering.

There are also some women that will experience depression while they are pregnant. This is not common, but it does happen with some that feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities they are about to take on. In addition to this, pre-pregnancy depression is common for some women that feel the pressure to get pregnant, but haven't been able to.

Signs of Depression in Young Women

The signs of depression in young women are generally easy to identify, but some individuals may be able to mask theirs well. It's also important to realize that some women may display multiple signs of depression while others only show one or two. The most common symptoms include:

  • Not being able to sleep/ All she wants to do is sleep
  • Not being able to concentrate/ Bad memory
  • Trouble with relationships/ Feeling lonely and isolated
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of guilt/ Not feeling worthy
  • Anxious feelings
  • Feeling angry or in a bad mood constantly

Getting Help For Depression

Young women need to seek help for depression as soon as they realize they are showing symptoms. Tackling this early on can result in finding a solution that makes you feel better and have a healthier outlook on life. Although suicide is not as common with young adults as it is with middle-aged adults; it does happen. It's best to get help quickly to avoid chances of harming yourself.

Seeing your doctor is the first step that you can take, as this will determine if you are depressed and what your options for treatment are. Most doctors are going to offer some sort of therapy, but prescription medications for depression are also commonly given. Seeing a psychiatrist is another great option to consider, as this will provide you with therapy and medication simultaneously.

Since young girls from age 15 can develop depression, it's something that every parent should have on their mind. It does happen and it can be dangerous, so being aware of the loved ones in your life is extremely important. With all the treatments that are available there's no reason women of any age have to suffer!