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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