Depression and Menopause

If you think you have depression and menopause I suggest you first classify the color of blue you are feeling in order to determine the treatment: are you feeling pastel blue, deep navy, or black?

Just like all mood disorders, depression exists on a spectrum from very mild to moderate and short-term resulting from normal grief reaction to a loss, to a more persistent and long-lasting disorder that alters your thoughts, appearance, behavior, speech, sleep, perception, memory, appetite and energy level.

Approximately 25% of all women will suffer from at least one major episode of depression in their lifetimes. If you have experienced depression at some point in your lifetime, you are more likely to suffer from depression at midlife. Yipeeeeee!

Sure your menopausal hormone imbalance may play a role in your depression, but so can other situational factors you are experiencing at this time such as your work or family experiences, divorce, relationship issues, child-care issues, aging parents etc.

At midlife many women (and men) consider their mortality. This in itself can be depressing, let’s face it. A little voice in your head whispering, “you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die” is less than uplifting.

Many of our cultures are anti-aging and this can be devastating to those of us who are vain enough to love being the center of attention. As we get older we become less and less visible. I viewed a little “joke” on Youtube from someone mocking Hilary Clinton because she is menopausal just like her grandma. First of all, this girl is stupid because Hilary and her grandma aren’t menopausal, they’re postmenopausal and this girl will either become menopausal (and depressed no doubt) at some point in her life if she lives long enough. But, we'll forgive her because we are old and wise and know that someday she will also gain wisdom.

Clinical depression

If you are dwelling on thoughts of guilt, self-blame, hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, and you have thoughts of death or suicide, then you should immediately consult your physician or psychologist or psychiatrist. The two of you will be able to determine if you are indeed suffering from a major depressive disorder and whether or not you need medication and professional assistance.

Treatment for depression and menopause

Depression is not simply a chemical or hormonal disorder that exists in a vacuum. Depression is the body’s way of telling you something in your life has got to change. I don’t know what that something is for you, only you do, and probably you will only know what it is after engaging in therapy of some sort, or by having a truly helpful, empathic and listening ear.

You should be completely honest with yourself and what you are feeling even if you have been socialized to believe your feelings are unacceptable. If you acknowledge your feelings and the source of those feelings you will be half way down the road to recovery.

You can read more here about the wisdom of menopause.

If you feel depressed for six months or more, then you must have unresolved grief of some kind. No pill will cure this.You’ll have to discuss with your treating physician if you are a good candidate for anti-depressants. Just be aware of the side-effects and discuss your personal risks and benefits with your doctor.

Exercise can help. It’s probably the last thing you feel like doing. I know that when I am depressed (due to infertility and career issues-see, I’m acknowledging, I’m acknowledging) my legs feel like lead and simple walking feels like I’m pushing waist-deep through salt-water. But it is important to push on because exercise releases the feel -good hormones in our bodies called serotonin.

Vitamins can help, but only if you have a deficiency in one or more of them. Deficiencies in biotin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin C have all been linked to depression. Add these vitamins in safe doses to your daily intake.

St. John’s Wort is an herb that has been very well researched and the results are very positive. The North American Menopause Society recommends St. John’s wort as a treatment for menopausal depression. That’s amazing because usually medical societies are skeptical of herbs. I think this one is worth a try.

Valerian is useful if you also have anxiety. Take both St. John’s Wort and Valerian.

Ginkgo biloba is useful if you also have attention and memory problems.

Bonus recommendation: in addition to the above recommendations to beat depression and menopause, if you are saying nasty things to yourself about yourself, write down ten things you are grateful for in your gratitude journal, ten things you like about others around you, and ten things you like about yourself. This method works for me, I hope it works for you.

Having said that...never feel guilty about your depression-women do that too often. Just accept it for what it is and do your best to beat it.

Return from Depression and Menopause to Gratitude Journal

Does Menopause cause Major Depression?

To read about other signs of menopause click here

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