Women going through menopause experience significant physical changes, emotional instability, and are prone to overthinking, making them susceptible to menopausal depression. So what are the symptoms of menopausal depression?
A while ago, I received a plea for help from a female friend: Ms. Zhang is currently resting at home. Since the age of 46, her menstrual cycles have become irregular, with longer intervals and lighter periods. She is deeply worried about her husband's prolonged illness, constantly fearing his sudden death and the unfilial behavior of her children, leaving her lonely and helpless in the future. She gradually developed headaches, dizziness, palpitations, chest tightness, insomnia, fatigue, facial flushing, and fluctuating blood pressure. She sought medical treatment, but no obvious organic lesions were found. However, she always believed she had a serious illness, becoming emotionally unstable and irritable, often clashing with her children over trivial family matters. In the past six months, she also experienced a failed promotion, leading to resentment and despair, ultimately resulting in extreme anxiety, pain, and even suicidal thoughts. She was finally diagnosed with menopausal depression.
Menopausal depression refers to a mental illness that first occurs during menopause, initially presenting with neurotic symptoms, gradually developing into depression, anxiety, hypochondria, and paranoia as the main symptoms, accompanied by autonomic nervous system dysfunction and endocrine disorders. It is generally believed that menopause occurs around 50-60 years of age for men and around 45-55 years of age for women, with women being more commonly affected.
This disease often develops under the influence of certain psychological factors. Patients typically exhibit sensitive, suspicious, and timid personality traits before the onset of the illness.
The early characteristics of this disease are:
1) Physiological abnormalities, manifested as headache, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, insomnia, excessive sweating, facial flushing, numbness in the limbs, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal dysfunction, constipation, menstrual disorders and decreased sexual function.
Psychological abnormalities manifest as sensitivity, suspicion, irritability, anger, emotional instability, and difficulty concentrating.
As the illness progresses, the condition gradually worsens. Symptoms include depression, restlessness, fidgeting, anxiety, and a sense of impending doom. Individuals may become overly concerned with minor matters, hypersensitive to changes in their own body, and may exhibit negative, suicidal, or self-harming behaviors.
Psychotherapy. Supportive psychotherapy is crucial for the improvement and recovery of the illness. First, patients need to understand the nature of the illness, recognizing that menopause is a transitional period from maturity to old age, a natural process. Since no abnormalities have been found during examinations, they should understand that their various feelings are simply an intensification of normal physiological changes, thus relieving unnecessary mental burdens and building confidence in overcoming the illness. Secondly, patients should be guided to express their inner distress, helping them analyze the gap between their understanding and reality. They should calmly analyze personal life events and avoid acting emotionally. Pay attention to the balance between work and rest, strengthen recreational activities, and learn self-relaxation techniques. Regularly participate in necessary social activities to enrich and fulfill their lives.
Drug treatment. Antidepressants are the primary treatment, but the dosage should not be too high. Generally, polycyclic antidepressants such as doxepin, amitriptyline, and maprotiline can be used. For those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, clomipramine can be used. Prozac is a widely used antidepressant worldwide.
In addition, diazepam and loratadine can be used to relieve anxiety, and oryzanol can be used to regulate autonomic nerve function. For those with significant endocrine disorders, estradiol can be taken.
After women reach menopause, it is important to face the physical changes correctly, adjust one's mindset, and maintain an optimistic attitude towards life, which can help prevent menopausal depression.
