Depression

The main reason women, especially menopausal women, are more likely to suffer from depression is because of their hormonal imbalance. Continue reading to learn all about depression, its signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Depression	About 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. But because depression is a clinical mental disorder, it´s important to distinguish feelings of sadness and despondency from clinical depression. Clinical depression is more severe than brief periods of sadness. It is a serious mental illness characterized by more than two weeks of extremely low moods that affect how a person feels, thinks, acts. Types of Depression There are six main types of depression. Some are more related to menopause than others. The following are categories of depression closely linked to menopause:
Depression Overview About Depression What is depression Types of depression Risk factors Depression Signs and Symptoms Physical Emotional Behavioral When to see a doctor Causes of Depression Hormonal causes Other causes of depression Depression Treatments

Major depression - lasts for more than two weeks and is characterized by intense feelings of sadness, loss of interest in normal activities, withdrawal from friends and family, and negative thoughts.

Risk Factors for Depression: • History of depression • Stress • Smoking or quitting smoking • Drug and alcohol use • Surgical/medical menopause

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a type of depression that is triggered by the seasons and most commonly caused by a lack of sunlight in the winter months. Other types of depression less associated with menopause, but just as severe, include the following:

Manic depression or bipolar disorder - a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Symptoms can be very severe.

Psychotic depression - includes some features of psychosis, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren´t there) or delusions (irrational thoughts and fears).

Click on the following link to read more more about depression, or continue reading below to learn about the signs and symptoms of depression.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Because depression is a mental disorder, it´s important to pinpoint the symptoms associated with it. The symptoms can be separated into three categories: physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms. In order for depression to be diagnosed, at least five symptoms must be present for no less than two weeks, and at least one of those five must either be persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest or pleasure. Here are the other signs and symptoms:

Physical symptoms: • Fatigue. • Decreased energy. • Overeating. • Appetite loss. • Insomnia. • Early-morning   wakefulness. • Excessive sleeping • Persistent aches or   pains. • Headaches, cramps   or digestive problems   that do not ease   even with treatment.

Emotional symptoms: • Persistent sad, anxious   or "empty" feelings. • Feelings of   hopelessness and/or   pessimism. • Feelings of guilt,   worthlessness and/or   helplessness. • Irritability. • Restlessness. • Thoughts of   suicide/suicide   attempts.

Behavioral symptoms: • Loss of interest in   activities or hobbies once   pleasurable, which   includes sex. • Difficulty concentrating. • Difficulty remembering   details. • Difficulty making   decisions. • Neglecting responsibilities. • Failing to attend to   one´s physical   appearance.

Click on the following link to read more about the signs and symptoms of depression, or continue reading below to learn about the possible causes of depression.

Causes of Depression

The underlying cause of depression in menopausal women has to do with hormonal imbalance, especially decreased levels of estrogen. As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels begin to drop off. This hormone plays a big part in regulating brain functions, especially chemicals that influence mood, such as serotonin and Cortisol. Decreasing levels of estrogen during menopause can also cause other physical and mental symptoms, such as hot flashes and anxiety, which can lead to depression.

Other causes include biochemical, genetic, personality, environmental factors and disease.

Click on the following link to learn more about the causes of depression, or continue reading to find out about all the different treatment options for depression.

Treatments for Depression

Although depression can make a woman feel hopeless, a variety of treatment options exist that can help wash away her depression and keep her hope alive. It is generally recommended that women begin with the least invasive option, which would be lifestyle changes. In the case of depression, this involves steps such as making sure to get regular exercise, eating healthy and practicing mind-body techniques such as meditation or yoga.

By simply including three 30 minute-long sessions of physical activity such as walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling into a weekly routine a woman can greatly relieve her milder symptoms of depression.

Similarly, eating healthily will also help to stabilize mood swings and alleviate depression. Lifestyle changes are an important first step to tackling depression, but there are other treatment options available if a woman were to feel that she would need further help in regaining a positive outlook on life.

The most effective approach, as depression in menopausal women is primarily caused by a hormonal imbalance, is to treat the problem directly at the hormonal source. A variety of natural and alternative supplements exist that may be able to address this imbalance.

For more prolonged or severe cases of depression, it may be necessary to seek the advice of a healthcare professional and possibly seek pharmaceutical options, though these carry the most risk of undesirable side effects.

Click on the following link to read more specifics about each of the treatments for depression in order to learn how to alleviate this symptom in a safe and effective way.

Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.

Browse Articles About Depression Organized By:

Review on December 12th, 2011 How to prevent depression during menopause Menopause is going to happen; like it or not, you cannot change that fact. What you can... Review on December 12th, 2011 How to understand your wife’s depression during menopause Menopause is a part of life for every woman in the world. Usually occurring around the mid-40s to... Review on December 5th, 2011 Menopause: Getting into a routine to beat depression By the time a woman reaches the age of menopause, she sometimes inherits some... Review on December 5th, 2011 How to harness the power of the sun to fight your menopausal depression Have you ever thought of moving to a sunnier climate when you retire? Or sat crammed behind... Review on December 2nd, 2011 Top 10 foods for treating depression during menopause We’ve all heard the phrase ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ but there’s also some truth in reversing... Review on December 2nd, 2011 Can eating fish help to deal with depression during menopause Women going through the transition that is menopause are affected by numerous... Review on November 21st, 2011 How to deal with your wife depression during menopause Taking those wedding vows, you promise to look after each other “throughout the seasons of ... Review on August 12th, 2011 Eating grass-fed beef to overcome depression You are what you eat is the popular phrase, and it is true in the point of what you eat defines... Review on September 21th, 2011 Joining a spinning class to overcome depression Depression is an umbrella term that is banded around by many to simply be feeling down or... Review on August 12th, 2011 Depression in post-menopause Post-menopausal depression is a phrase that can cause confusion amongst many women. Following the end of your fabulous menopause transition...

Review on August 14th, 2011 10 top tips for dealing with depression during menopause Menopause can be a difficult time in a woman’s life, and dealing with depression during menopause... Review on August 12th, 2011 5 meals for curing depression during menopause The use of food for altering your mood is known across the globe, mainly in terms of aphrodisiacs... Review on August 9th, 2011 5 herbs to alleviate depression during menopause As we know, there are many ways to treat the signs and symptoms that come with “the change... Review on August 9th, 2011 How to eat your way out of postmenopausal depression So, you thought the minute the doctor slapped the title “postmenopausal” on your chart you’d be on... Review on May 6th, 2011 Q&A: How does chocolate benefit women suffering from depression? It’s rich, savory, and good for your health. Chocolate has a solid reputation for being a... Review on April 19th, 2011 Six inexpensive ways to beat menopausal depression The severity of the disorder varies hugely, but all cases should be treated seriously, before they.... Review on April 18th, 2011 Can horse riding help combat menopausal depression? If you are one of the many women who are battling with “the change” then chances are that you are... Review on January 10th, 2011 Treating menopause depression with holistic care Midlife is often difficult for women. Depression affects twice as many women as it does men and... Review on December 23th, 2010 Menopause Depression Treated by Alternative Medicine Women with menopause depression tired of the side effects and costly prices of prescription... Review on December 22th, 2010 Menopause depression supplement There are a score of drugs out there to help women through menopause or depression itself. Approaching and going through menopause puts... Read all Depression Articles

Review on April 13, 2009 Depression May Be Eased By Boosting Estrogen Levels Boosting estrogen levels in the body may be helpful in the fight against severe depression when other standard treatments fail to help... Review on April 01, 2009 Women Suffering From Depression Require Individualized Drug Treatment Research shows that it is more effective for women suffering from depression to only take one medication at a time rather than multiple...

Review on June 19, 2007 Depressed women may face higher danger of osteoporosis Recently, a group of professionals try to understand if women who are depressed would be more likely to develop brittle bones late in life... Read All Depression Research