Depression during Menopause: Causes and Solutions Benton Harbor MI
Plainwell Counseling Center
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Susan M. Browne MSW, ACSW, BCD
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Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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Depression during Menopause: Causes and Solutions
Women deal with tremendous changes during their 40s and 50s. Kids leave home, their parents become more dependent, and career goals may change. And then there's menopause. Approximately 75 percent of women experience symptoms in the years leading up to their last period. Some have a tougher time than others. Declining hormones can be linked to a range of symptoms from hot flashes and insomnia to irritability and poor concentration...and for some women, depression. The confusing part is that depression and menopause share many of the same symptoms.
According to the University of Michigan Depression Center, "Depression affects twice as many women as men. Midlife is often considered a period of increased risk for depression in women. ... it may be related to having a personal or family history of depression, life stressors, and role changes." The center notes that depression is more likely to occur during the transition to menopause (perimenopause) than during menopause itself.
Symptoms of depression and menopause
According to The University of Michigan, they are:
Two or more weeks of depressed mood, decreased interest or pleasure in activities, change in appetite, change in sleep patterns, fatigue or loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, extreme restlessness and irritability.
Many symptoms of depression and menopause overlap, including problems with sleep, hot flashes, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating...
