According to various studies, menopausal depression is a very common condition among women. There are several different potential causes of depression during menopause. Medical professionals believe that hormonal complications may play a large role in the development of this complication. However, there are many that feel that certain factors such as the frustration associated with the symptoms of menopause could lead to the onset of depression. Based on various types of research, it has been established that menopausal depression is both psychological and physiological in nature. Throughout this health guide, you will learn many important facts pertaining to menopausal depression.
In order to gain an effective understanding of menopausal depression, you must first understand the basics of depression. While many consider the condition to be a mental illness, depression is now considered to be a disease that stems from numerous biological factors. There are several hormones in the brain that are directly responsible for regulating an individual's mood. The most prominent is serotonin. When the levels of this hormone drop, it is common for a person to experience fluctuations as far as their mood is concerned. When this happens, it is common for the symptoms of depression to occur. Examples of these symptoms include hopelessness, experiencing feelings of sadness, and even physical symptoms such as fatigue and gastrointestinal complications. While there are many types of depression such as clinical depression, Dysthymia and menopausal depression, all of these conditions have similar symptoms.
According to statistics, up to fifteen percent of all women experience some degree of depression when contending with menopause. In most instances, the condition makes itself known during the phase of menopause recognized as 'Perimenopause'. It is during this stage of menopause where many physical changes start taking place in the body. The estrogen and androgen levels in the body start to fluctuate. In addition to this, progesterone levels also start to fluctuate. To further complicate things, serotonin levels in the brain also start to drop. All of these physiological changes combined with the psychological complications that a woman starts to experience can result in menopausal depression. While it is true that women with a history of mood issues are likely to suffer from depression, it is also true that a woman does not have to have a history of mood disorders in order to experience menopausal depression.
There are several distinct treatments available for women that suffer from depression in menopause. If you are a female suffering from this condition, it is important that you seek professional assistance as soon as possible. The treatments are designed to alleviate the symptoms of depression, ease the symptoms associated with menopause and optimize your quality of life as a whole. While it may appear to be an exceptionally challenging period in your life, it is important to understand that the treatments may prove to be highly beneficial. Examples of the treatments include the following:
If you are suffering from menopausal depression, there is hope. Many women accept it as a way of life, but it does not have to be. If you are experiencing the signs of depression and start to experience thoughts of putting an end to your life, it is critical that you seek assistance immediately. This is considered to be a symptom of severe depression. You may not be able to pull out of it on your own because of the neurobiological basis of the condition. By getting the help that you need, you may successfully overcome depression during menopause.