For people who haven’t ever lived with depression, the signs and symptoms might be hard to spot. After all, it’s normal to feel down or discombobulated when you’re going through a hard time, or really any change at all. Take prenatal or postnatal depression, for example. For some, getting pregnant and having a little one is an incredibly happy and exciting time in their life, but regardless depression follows them around like a little gray cloud.
But even when there aren’t major life changes, depression still can find a way to make an appearance. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people in the world live with depression. Even with as common as this mental illness is, depression signs and symptoms aren’t always the easiest to pinpoint if you aren’t looking for them. So we’re going to talk about what the signs of depression are, what to do if you have depression, and different ways to treat your depression.
What are the signs of depression in women?
How to treat depression
Partnering with your provider will help guide your decision on how to treat your depression. There are various ways to treat depression depending on the severity of your symptoms and how much it is impacting your life.
For some, a mix of medication and therapy might be just what you need to alleviate depression symptoms. Other options look more like lifestyle changes like getting more sleep, moving your body more, or cutting back on caffeine or alcohol. Any of these options, or a combination, will help you live with your depression in a way that is sustainable and allows you to live your life fully.
Note: Make sure to check with your doctor before starting any type of treatments or medications for your depression. Even natural methods such as teas, essential oils and supplements can be harmful, especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, check with your pediatrician before using any aromatherapy oils around children.
