Depression FAQs

Depression can negatively affect a woman's life in a number of ways. She may lose interest in activities she once loved or feel as though she's in a tunnel with no light at the end. Because depression can be so impactful, she likely has many questions about her depression. Read below for a list of frequently asked questions about depression and their answers.

Q: What Is Depression?

A: Depression refers to a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy, feelings of sadness, and a despondent lack of activity.

However, depression is also a clinical disorder that is more severe than bouts of sadness and requires certain symptoms to be diagnosed. Clinical depression is a serious mental illness characterized by more than two weeks of extremely low moods that affect how a person feels, the way she thinks, and her activities.

Q: Is Depression Normal When Going Through Menopause?

A: Depression is common during menopause, affecting up to 30% of menopausal women. Women preparing to enter menopause are two to four times more likely to fall into depression than women who are not yet at that stage in life. However, this does not mean that depression should just be brushed off as an "inevitable part of menopause".

Q: Who Is Most Likely to Be Affected by Depression?

A: Not only are menopausal women more likely to suffer from depression, but women in general are twice as likely to experience depression as men. Several other factors can add to an individual's likelihood of being depressed, such as brain chemistry, history of depression, and personality.

Q: What Are the Types of Depression?

A: There are several types of depression. Some are more likely to occur in women leading up to menopause than other types, such as major depression and adjustment disorder. Post-partum depression, for instance, is not associated with menopause, nor is psychotic depression. Below is a list describing the different types of depression.

Q: What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

A: The symptoms of depression can be separated into three categories: physical, emotional, and behavioral. In order for a person to be diagnosed with clinical depression, at least five of the below symptoms must be present for not less than two weeks. However, at least one of those symptoms must be persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest or pleasure.

Q: What Are the Warning Signs of Suicide?

A: Because suicide can be associated with severe depression, it's important to know the warning signs. However, it is also necessary to remember that just because someone fits some of the below characteristics does not necessarily mean she is suicidal. Here is a list of some of the warning signs of suicide to look out for that could be an indication that an individual is considering taking her own life:

• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
• Violent actions, rebellious behavior, and running away
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Unusual neglect of personal appearance
• Marked personality change
• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of work
• Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often relating to emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches, and fatigue
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Not tolerating praise or rewards

Q: What Causes Depression during Menopause?

A: As women approach menopause, their hormone levels begin to fluctuate more drastically and eventually reach low levels. This decrease in hormones, especially estrogen production, has myriad effects on a woman's body and mind, but is often the underlying cause of depression experienced during this period of time.

There are multiple reasons why decreased levels of estrogen in a woman's body can cause depression, but each reason has to do either with how estrogen affects the brain or how low levels of estrogen prompt other symptoms that can then lead to depression.

Q: What Is the Best Way to Cope with Depression during Menopause?

A: The best way to deal with menopause-related depression symptoms is to correct the hormonal imbalance that's causing them, preferably through alternative treatments, such as herbal supplements. In the meantime, several easy lifestyle changes can also help to relieve mild depression, like getting improved sleep, exercise, and diet, engaging in relaxing activities, reconnecting with old friends, and talking to a therapist or support group. The last resort is to use medications, such as antidepressants.

Q: Do Antidepressants Cause Side Effects?

A: Different medications produce different side effects, and people differ in the type and severity of the side effects they experience. About 50% of people who take antidepressant medications experience some side effects, particularly during the first weeks of treatment. Some of the side effects associated with antidepressants include dry mouth, constipation, bladder problems, sexual problems, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, skin rash, and weight gain or loss, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, diarrhea, and agitation, among others. There is no "one size fits all" treatment, so the dosage or type of antidepressant may need to be adjusted to eliminate side effects.