The biological changes women go through interact with depression and anxiety in complex ways. How have your symptoms been affected by those female cycles, and what has helped you cope?
I ALWAYS GET headaches and the usual weight gain a week before my period. What surprises me is that I don't need my antidepressant during my period. I get very edgy, moody, angry and just want to do my own thing before my period. Then when it arrives, I am calm, happy and want to do things with people again. I know that my feelings are hormonal because I can track them to the day.
I HAVE HAD clinical depression for 15 years. Years ago, when I was experiencing menopausal symptoms, my depression got worse. I was on hormone treatment for 10 years. The treatment only alleviated certain symptoms, such as hot flashes. It did not help my mood. At the end, I had ECT to control my depression.
I'M STILL EARLY in my life but even with [just] my monthly cycle, I see lots of moodiness. What gets me through is the hope that tomorrow will be better and reminding myself constantly that it could be worse.
MY MONTHLY CYCLE has at times been a horror affecting my depression and anxiety levels. Resulting symptomology would include deeper depression, increased anxiety, increased tearfulness and more. Attempts at coping mechanisms have included increasing depression medication during the middle of my cycle, birth control pills to regulate my moods more, DBSA online support groups, and reminding myself that it is only a few days out of the month.
AFTER SURGICAL MENOPAUSE and a year of hormone replacement therapy, I was thrown into hot flashes and moodiness. At times tearful and depressed, I relied on art-making to pull me through. I am a national board certified art therapist and through my training and education for that credential, I know the art process can help alleviate anxiety and depression.
I AM IN MY EARLY 40s and experience symptoms of early menopause. Just two years ago, I was hit by a major episode of depression, with its buddy, anxiety, following behind. A certain event triggered it, but I feel that hormones played a big part in the intensity. What has helped me on this sometimes dark journey has been taking my meds and attending therapy appointments, trying to stay away from caffeine and alcohol, and exercise. And, most importantly, having a wonderful friend who "gets it"—communicating with her during the bad days but also having fun on the good.
I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY at 23 for endometriosis. I have been plagued since then with mood swings and depression. No anxiety problems, thankfully. I had hormone replacement therapy for a long period of time. This helped with moods. When I stopped at 40, it got really bad. I got through that with my husband and an antidepressant that has been my saving grace. I can't live without it. Exercise also helps. Trust in God is the best.
MY DEPRESSION and anxiety set in with my entry into puberty. It took me decades (age 57) to be introduced to the importance of these hormones on my mood and physical well-being. Then I was introduced to the idea of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I went to an ob-gyn and had a simple blood test. Since I have been on bioidentical hormones, I have experienced true happiness and joy for the first time in my life.
I BELIEVE MY hormonal imbalances are the cause of my lifelong depression, starting at age 11 and proceeding through to my current age of 54.
HORMONES ABSOLUTELY can play a role in depression. As a child, I used to watch my own mother's moods swing to extremes whenever her hormones were changing. As for myself, I expect mood changes at certain times of the month and try to head them off through awareness, mindfulness exercises, good nutrition, less caffeine, physical exercises and reducing my stress levels if possible. Sometimes certain medications can help, too. When I go through menopause, though, I'm not sure what to expect.
WHEN MY HORMONES change each month it sometimes feels like my emotions are hypersensitive. I try to keep track of my period to feel more in control. During the 10 days before my period, I do personal care things like pedicures, manicures, exercise and alone time to help minimize my emotions. I also keep my anxiety medicine in mind for times when I need extra calming (mostly for irritability). And I reward myself for stopping before or during an overemotional moment like arguing.
I HAVE DEFINITELY been struggling with depression more since perimenopause began. My meds are not really working like before. I am not sure what to do to make this go away so I can feel like myself again.
DEPRESSION AND my menstrual cycle are definitely linked. My depression is at its worst in the week or so leading up to my period. I try and remember that this is a part of my PMS and that it will pass.
I HAVE BEEN taking meds for depression for 10-plus years with decent results. The past two years I am not getting the relief that I had been getting. I feel that my hormones are out of balance due to perimenopause.
I HAVE ALWAYS EXPERIENCED a change of mood and personality two to three days prior to menstruation, whether it be increased irritability or increased depression. I keep a mood chart to measure these changes. I also devised an electronic calendar to remind me when to expect these episodes. I inform my loved ones that I may require more patience, understanding and alone time. I also rely on yoga, aromatherapy, spa music, sage tea, and an herbal supplement for PMS.
PREGNANCY IS the best time for me. I don't need meds and I'm stable, calm and happy. My monthly cycle is a challenge. Every month I feel so out of control of my emotions and thoughts. What has helped me during this time is to remember that I am going through PMS and that it is temporary and will pass. Exercise helps with stress, as well as lowering my salt and sugar intake.
I HAVE BEEN DEALING with depression for more than 20 years. Menopause has been particularly difficult. When I get the least bit stressed I become very flushed and sweat on my face and head profusely, to the point that my hair actually becomes dripping wet. I am already uncomfortable around most people, and this embarrassing condition makes me even less willing to be around others. I spend a lot of time alone, contributing to my loneliness and feelings of insignificance.
NO ONE TOLD ME that in the 10 years before menopause, natural changes would happen that would really affect me. "Pre-menopause" increased my PMS significantly. I had no idea what was wrong with me. Good news is, I have finally discovered there are natural progesterone supplements that help me and balance me. It relieved PMS mood swings entirely. I haven't experienced this in years.
I HAD POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. Hopelessness made me think I had no control. I had thoughts of being a terrible mom. I did attempt suicide. With medication, psychiatric appointments, and cognitive behavioral classes. I learned when I feel a certain way, it does not mean it is the truth. I keep a truth journal. I write down only positive things. My family, friends, medication, therapy, and my truth journal make the depression less frequent.
POSTPARTUM WAS absolutely the worst for me. It seemed like the depression would never lift. When I finally got a grip on it and things started to sail along, bam! Here comes menopause. Accepting that I have to deal with this and knowing it is only temporary helps me maintain some type of security that I will be just fine. Letting my loved ones know what I am feeling and what they can do to help makes for a happy family.
I AM 42 YEARS OLD and have a hormone imbalance that affects my depression and anxiety greatly. I have horrible night sweats, to the point that I wake up soaking wet (like I just took a shower). I also get horribly depressed one week before my period. I will have crying spells and anxiety for no reason. I am always relieved once I have my period because my symptoms will be going away soon.