Menopause and Depression
Depression is a medical illness that is caused by biological factors. It affects two times as many women than men. Actually hormones in the brain, specifically serotonin, regulate the mood. Some fluctuations in mood cause reducing the serotonin levels and severe episodes of depression. If anyone suffering from depression will experience extreme feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and melancholy for prolonged periods of time, this will be at least two weeks. Depression can lead to a variety of symptoms and influence on a person’s life, including physical ailments, isolation, and even suicide. It is important to realize that woman suffering from depression is not her fault. Depression at the starting stage cannot be controlled.
Menopause is a period of time when a woman stops having her monthly period and experiences symptoms related to be deficient in the estrogen production. If a woman is in menopause after her periods have stopped for one year. This is a normal part of aging and signs the end of a woman's reproductive years. In general menopause occurs in a woman's late 40s to early 50s. Nevertheless, women who have their ovaries surgically removed undergo sudden menopause. The drop in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause will make physical and emotional changes such as depression or anxiety and also changes in memory. Similar to any other point in a woman’s life, there is a relationship between hormone levels and physical and emotional symptoms. Some changes in physical body include irregular or skipped periods, heavier or lighter periods, and hot flashes.
Several researches provide examples on group of people in which women have positive attitudes to the menopause and report few or no symptoms. These suggest that the emotional impact on the menopause is effected by the social values ascribed to older women and the roles available to them, as well as cultural differences affecting lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. As for epidemiological studies small changes were found to be attributable to the menopause other than hot flushes and night sweats. However there is a considerable variation between women in terms of well being and depression, occurrence of the depression did not increase during the menopause in four of the five studies.
Moreover, women of childbearing age tend to be high level of depression. In the prospective studies, psychosocial factors can find main predictors of depression during the menopause. These included past depression, socioeconomic status, and stressful life events such as bereavements, and negative beliefs about the menopause. The menopause appeared to have a more negative effect on women who previously believed that menopause brings a group of physical and emotional problems. Marital and employment status as well as social support can reduce the effects of stress and moderate at other stages of life. Women who suffering from chronic arthritis or thyroid problems is high level to continued depression. If any women are experiencing menopause depression they should seek help immediately. They should not be allowed with this alone. There are number of options are available that will help out to reduce symptoms and get enjoyment out of life again. If any women have contemplated thoughts of suicide, should check with caretaker immediately for treatment.