Menopause
and Depression: Is There a Link?
A
recent study of 2 million people in 80 different nations
found that depression during middle age is universal, hitting
a peak around the age of 44. It’s also a fact that
depression affects twice as many women as men. No one can
say for sure what causes middle-aged depression. It may
be associated with life changes and stressors, but there
is also seems to be a link between menopause and depression.
The
connection between menopause and depression appears to be
partially due to hormone changes. Women usually expect to
be irritable or moody during menopause, but depression comes
with its own set of symptoms. As the signs
of menopause arrive, here are some things to watch for
which may indicate a problem with menopause and depression:
- A
depressed mood for two or more weeks
- Lack
of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Changes
in appetite
- Sleeping
more or less than normal
- Loss
of energy and feelings of fatigue
- Extreme
irritability
- Difficulties
concentrating
- Significant
weight changes that cannot be explained by menopause
weight gain
- Thoughts
of death or suicide
There
are conflicting viewpoints about the link between menopause
and depression. Some believe it’s triggered by hormonal
changes, while others believe the depression is caused by
the symptoms of menopause like sleeplessness, menopause
hot flashes, and fatigue. Still others hypothesize that
menopause and depression could be caused by a woman’s
negative feelings about getting older. No matter what the
cause, depression is a serious illness that should be treated
and managed with care.
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