During the perimenopause, the body may be going through vast changes because of the drop-in hormones. It is important to remember the importance of self-care, especially during the perimenopause. There are several physical symptoms associated with the perimenopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats and changes to your periods, however, anxiety and depression can also show itself or become worse during the perimenopause.
There can be emotional and physical changes during the perimenopause which must not be ignored if they are causing you distress.
When your hormones are decreasing, mood swings can happen and lead to feelings of not being able to cope with things that you otherwise could have coped with easily. Often during your 40s and 50s you have added pressures of work, family and possibly health issues. These can be exasperated when going through the many changes in the perimenopause, adding to your anxiety and stress and possibly depression.
It is important to speak to your family, friends and your doctor if you have any feelings of depression which may or may not be linked to the perimenopause.
Treatments and lifestyle changes can make an enormous difference to your quality of life and ease your depression. Try not to ignore these feelings and make sure you seek help and talk to somebody before the depression spirals out of control.
Do not self medicate with alcohol or drugs to treat your perimenopause symptoms or depression.
Low mood or anxiety can also be experienced during the perimenopause self-help treatments may help lift the low mood.
Depression is a serious medical condition that needs the correct treatment and help whether you experience it during or without going through the menopause or perimenopause.