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About Depression
Many women will experience sustained or sporadic low moods as they approach menopause. During the 5-to-10-year period leading up to menopause (perimenopause), women are four times more likely to suffer from depression than women who have not yet reached the perimenopausal stage. Up to 30% of menopausal women report feeling depressed during this time.
This puts women between the ages of 45 and 55 at great risk of developing depression as their bodies go through the menopausal transition. Equipped with information about depression, and its symptoms and risk factors, women will have a better chance to avoid this common disorder or know how to treat it early. Read on to learn more about what depression is.
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What is depression
The general use of the term depression refers to a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy, feelings of sadness, and a despondent lack of activity. It can make women feel hopeless or lost. They may lack the energy or desire to get out of bed and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
But because depression can also be a clinical mental disorder, it´s important to distinguish feelings of sadness and despondency from clinical depression.
Clinical depression is more severe than general feelings of sadness. It is a serious mental illness characterized by more than two weeks of extremely low moods that affect how a person feels, the way she thinks, and her activities. Those with clinical depression are unable to live as they once did.
Continue reading to learn more about the different types of depression. |
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Types of Depression
There are several types of depression, but most require a doctor´s diagnosis. Some are more likely to occur in women leading up to menopause than other, such as major depression and adjustment disorder. Postpartum depression, for instance, is not associated with menopause, nor is psychotic depression. Below is a list of the different types of depression and descriptions of them. |
Risk Factors
Although depression as menopause approaches can affect any woman, there are some risk factors that make some women more susceptible than others. Some of the risk factors below can be controlled or eliminated by the individual while others cannot be. Here are some common risk factors that can lead to a higher likelihood of depression:
- History of depression: Women approaching menopause who have dealt with depression in the past can more easily slip into it during the physical, emotional and psychological transitions associated with it.
- Stress: Life stresses, whether work-related, personal, or especially stress associated with menopause, can lead to a higher likelihood of depression.
- Smoking/quitting cigarettes: Studies have found that smokers are more likely to develop depression as they approach menopause. Adversely, women who quit smoking during this time period are also at a higher risk because of the physical and emotional stress associated with quitting a long-time habit such as smoking.
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Untreated depression can lead to a greater risk of heart attacks and osteoporosis.
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- Previous Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) with mood symptoms: Women who experience symptoms of depression related to their menstrual cycles are more likely to develop symptoms with the hormonal transitions of menopause.
- Surgical/medical menopause: When women go through surgical menopause they experience a drastic and immediate decrease in estrogen production. Decrease in estrogen levels is one of the leading causes of depression during menopause. The surgery itself can put stress on a woman´s body and mind, which can also lead to dips in her mood.
Now that there is a clear understanding of what depression is, it´s important to continue reading about the signs and symptoms of depression, which will help to dentify this symptom.
What are the best ways to cope with depression?
Three approaches can be considered for treating depression: (1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative medicine, and (3) drugs and surgery. Most experts recommend that women begin with the least aggressive approach and move to the next level of treatment only if symptoms persist. Click on treatments for depression to discover the best route to relief.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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