How To Manage Depression And Menopause

Unfortunately, there's a lot to say about depression and menopause. It's a fact that menopause can trigger feelings of sadness and episodes of depression in a number of women over 40.

Such a depression is most likely to strike during the peri/premenopause phase leading up to menopause. This type of depression is partially defined as prolonged symptoms, greater than 2 weeks. It can have serious mental and physical side effects.

One possible cause is that the stress of menopause symptoms leads to depression. You may be finding that your symptoms of menopause are simply too difficult to manage on your own.

You already have to deal with family, friends, work, and finances, let alone this upsetting physical change. Menopause may just be the thing that takes you over the edge, causing the onset of depression.

Another possibility is the fluctuating levels of hormones in the body. As hormones fall, especially estrogen, you can experience periods of sadness and hopelessness. Some women experience a severe drop in mood, resulting in depression.

Rosie developed depression in her 20’s which placed her at increased risk for depression during menopause. In her 40’s she had a hysterectomy which caused surgical menopause and a sharp decrease in estrogen levels and increased anxiety and symptoms. To make matters worse she smoked and had stressful family issues.

She was a prime candidate for depression and menopause.

Rosie went to her doctor for help. She was reassured that many options were available to help reduce her symptoms, enabling her to get her life back; that things can get better and there really is life after menopause. She was strongly advised to seek medical help at a hospital immediately if she ever had any suicidal thoughts (a very real possibility with severe depression).

Rosie’s doctor gave her a brief summary of options available to her. First, she must stop smoking. Her other options were estrogen therapy and antidepressant medication, combined with psychotherapy, which are a powerful trio to fight menopausal depression.

Psychotherapy alone is an excellent way to fight menopausal depression. Trained social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists can help you to learn how to frame negative thoughts in positive ways. They can also recommend resources to help you overcome depressive behaviors and thoughts.

Rosie chose to try the medication and psychotherapy initially and hope for the best. She was desperate and powered through her doubts and fears. In therapy she learned about so many other things she could do to manage her depression and menopause. These include:

• exercise
• support groups
• stress management techniques
• tips to improve sleep
• a sensible diet with vitamin supplements
• eliminate caffeine
• spend time with other people (depression causes you to withdraw from others).

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