Do you have times when you feel Depressed?
But not because something traumatic has happened to you, it’s just a “funk”, a feeling that you get and upsets your normal routine?
I sometimes feel Depressed in the sense of “a depressed mood”. As cited by the North American Menopause Society: “This is a normal, brief period of feeling blue or sad that is commonly experienced and rarely requires treatment. The medical term is dysphoria. ”
I wake up in the morning, generally during my work week, and just can’t get out of bed. It’s possibly perimenopausal related; or is it something more?
It left me wondering so I decided to dig a bit more into it.
Depression and Menopause
Did you know there are three types of Depression?
- A Depressed Mood – as cited above.
- Depression as a Symptom – Where something traumatic or emotional happens to you and leaves you feeling “out of sorts”. Examples: Divorce, death, Loss of Employment. This type of depression usually last short-term and can go without treatment, however, could develop into Clinical Depression.
- Clinical Depression – This type of depression is said to have resulted from a chemical imbalance in the brain and requires treatment.
As a child of 11 years old when my mother suddenly passed, I suffered from Depression as a Symptom. I wouldn’t go to school for about two (2) weeks and I isolated myself. Often crying and not wanting to do my normal, every day things a “normal” child would do. I eventually worked my way out of it but through the years after that, I often slipped back into that Depression for brief periods.
When my father passed away, I was in my mid 30′s. The loss of my father was traumatic for me as well and I fell back into Depression as a Symptom.
However, now in my mid-40′s, these bouts with, what I called, Depressed Moods are quite often. I believe them to be related to Perimenopause.
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Perimenopause and Menopausal “Type” Depression
When we talk about Depression in Perimenopausal and Menopausal women, we generally talk about the “mood swings“. These are extreme or rapid changes in our mood. We can be out having a great time, laughing with friends, and then all of a sudden, we get a feeling of gloom and doom and the tears start. The “mood swings” disrupt our normal activities but usually last briefly. However, some “mood swings” could be so strong and disruptive that it may be considered Bipolar Disorder.
So what can we do to help us with Depression or “Mood Swings”?
In Perimenopausal women, one suggestion is to start using a Low Dose Oral Contraceptive. The estrogen-progestin in the OC’s provide a constant stable hormone level which can aid in the “mood swings”.
For Perimenopausal women who can’t take OC’s and for Menopausal women, it’s said that St. John’s Wort (herbal remedy) and a few lifestyle changes may be able to help.
If the Depression is severe enough, and I hope the person would seek medical attention, anti-depressants can be prescribed by a doctor to help with the chemical imbalance. Certain anti-depressants have been known to help with hot flashes. Generally, counseling or psychotherapy may also be necessary along with the anti-depressant.
Do you suffer from Depression?
If so, I’d love to hear your story! Are you willing to allow us to publish it? You could share it Anonymously or if you’re comfortable enough, you could share it as a Contributor on My Girly Parts.
Have you suffered from Depression and if so, how did you overcome it?
For more information on Perimenopause and Menopause associated with Depression, please refer to the North American Menopause Society.
