Menopause And Depression
Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer from depression during and after menopause and it is important to determine the difference between feeling low or anxious and depression. Depression is a mental health illness, which is characterised by continuous low mood, a loss of motivation and enthusiasm, feelings of sadness, helplessness and worthlessness. It is important that depression is dealt with effectively, as it tends to get worse without treatment and it can have a very negative impact on day to day life and even result in suicidal feelings and attempts to end your life.
Menopause is a distressing and confusing time for many women and there are various factors, in addition to dropping hormone levels, which may increase the risk of depression, including relationship strain, children leaving home for university or to set up a home of their own, bereavement and illness (often menopausal women are dealing with caring for ill parents, for example). If you feel low for a protracted period of time, don't suffer in silence; see your GP or seek help from charities, such as MIND and the Depression Alliance.
Sometimes, medical treatments are used to treat depression, but there are also self-help techniques, which may help to lift your mood and make you feel more positive; these include:
- exercise: exercise is a natural mood booster and it's also great for keeping you fit, meeting new people, building confidence and enabling you to develop new skills. Exercise is also proven to reduce tension, stress and anxiety and it can help you to channel anger and frustration.
- spending time with people who love you, such as friends and family
- pursuing hobbies and interests
- taking some time out from work or social or family commitments
- listening to music
Life After Menopause (postmenopause) ยป
-
Loss Of Libido In Menopause
- Memory Lapses In Menopause
- Mood Swings In Menopause
- Nausea In Menopause
- Night Sweats In Menopause
- Panic Attacks In Menopause
- Period Pain In Menopause
- Sleep Problems In Menopause
- Stress In Menopause
- Vaginal Dryness In Menopause
- Weak Bladder In Menopause
- Weight Gain In Menopause
- When Does Menopause Occur?
- How Long Does The Menopause Last?
- Menopause And A Hysterectomy
- What Is Perimenopause?
- Factors Effecting Menopause
- Diagnosing Menopause
- Early And Premature Menopause
- Pregnancy And Menopause
- Living With The Menopause
- Symptoms Of The Menopause
- Menopause & Consulting Your Doctor
- Self-Help Techniques For Coping With Menopause
- Menopause And Alternative And Complementary Therapies
- Menopause And Osteoporosis
- Menopause And Cardiovascular Disease
- Menopause And Changes Affecting The Breasts
- About HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
- Menopause And Depression
- Life After Menopause (postmenopause)
- Sex And The Menopause
- Healthy Eating And Diet During The Menopause
- What To Expect When Your Partner Is Going Through Menopause
- Male Menopause
MENOPAUSE
- Find Menopause Clinics
- Menopause Guide
- What Causes The Menopause?
- Signs Of The Menopause
- Increased risk of infections
- Menopause And Effects On The Heart
- Menopause And Sleep Problems
- Menopause & Ovarian Cancer
- Weight Loss After Menopause
- HRT And Cancer Risk
- Anxiety In Menopause
- Bladder Infections In Menopause
- Bloating In Menopause
- Breast Pain In Menopause
- Brittle Nails in Menopause
- Depression In Menopause
- Difficulty Concentrating In Menopause
- Digestive Problems In Menopause
- Dizziness In Menopause
- Dry Mouth In Menopause
- Eye Health In Menopause
- Fatigue In Menopause
- Hair Loss In Menopause
- Headaches In Menopause
- High Blood Pressure In Menopause
- Hot Flushes In Menopause
- Irregular Heartbeat In Menopause
- Irregular Periods In Menopause
- Itchy Skin In Menopause
- Joint Pain In Menopause
