As a woman in her early fifties, in the depths of menopause, divorced, facing an empty nest soon, stressors of inequality, and potentially losing rights my mother and grandmother fought for, I’d say the risk for me to become depressed might be high, or at the very least increase symptoms of anxiety.
Although I do not think I am clinically depressed, I think this type of state of mind has led to chronic pain issues, especially in my back, neck, and knees. For my knees, I have utilized physical therapy knee exercise machines. They are definitely beneficial, but with a torn meniscus in both my left and right knees, I need a little more, which is why I am currently using natural supplements as well as implementing jiu-jitsu conditioning that focuses on stretching, core strength building, and breathing techniques.
Some other reasons women might face depression may be related to the following, but not limited to:
- Menopause, pregnancy, menstrual cycle (hormones)
- Becoming an empty nester and longing for the days when my boys were little
- Living far away from her adult children
- Not being needed anymore
- Growing older, less self-sufficient, and needing more help with household repairs
- Not being able to drive (my mom lost her vision to diabetes)
- Interrupted or poor sleep, insomnia, or sleep apnea
- Divorce
- Death of a loved one
- Relationship stressors
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Inequality
However, one day at a time, if I continue to work on self-care, introspective inner work, prayer and meditation, exercise, hydromassage at the gym and massage chair pad at home, stretching in the morning, clean-healthy eating, drinking at least 120 ounces of water (I love ice water!), regimen of daily supplements, nightly baths with jets on for fifteen minutes then Epsom salt for fifteen minutes, and applying topical essential oils (lavender) to signal to my body that it is time for bed, and maintaining a proper work-life balance as well as service to others which helps me to naturally ward off deep depression at this stage of my life – I have a better chance at warding off depression.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Everyone experiences pain at some point, but in people with depression or anxiety, pain can become particularly intense and hard to treat. People suffering from depression, for example, tend to experience more severe and long-lasting pain than other people.
The overlap of anxiety, depression, and pain is particularly evident in chronic and sometimes disabling pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, headaches, and nerve pain. For example, about two-thirds of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who are referred for follow-up care have symptoms of psychological distress, most often anxiety. About 65% of patients seeking help for depression also report at least one type of pain symptom. Psychiatric disorders not only contribute to pain intensity but also to increased risk of disability,”.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
Why is depression more common in females than males
I would gather that, as women, we might face depression more commonly than men because we go through many hormonal changes across our lifetime. In fact, I recently learned that if we bear children, we actually go through three puberties:
- Adolescent puberty with hormonal and body changes
- Pregnancy and post-pregnancy changes in our hormones and bodies
- Menopause: peri, menopause, and post menopause hormonal and body changes
We are also more susceptible to taking on more family stressors, where men have an easier time detaching. That’s just my humble opinion, but let’s see what the experts have to say.
The Mayo Clinic reports that, “Most women who experience bothersome menopausal symptoms don’t develop depression. But these factors may increase the risk:
- Interrupted or poor sleep
- Anxiety or a history of depression
- Stressful life events
- Weight gain or a higher body mass index (BMI)
- Menopause at a younger age
- Menopause caused by surgical removal of the ovaries
- Life circumstances and culture
The higher rate of depression in women isn’t due to biology alone. Life circumstances and cultural stressors can play a role, too. Although these stressors also occur in men, it’s usually at a lower rate,”.
It looks like I wasn’t too far off in my theory!
Natural mood enhancers for depression
Non-medicinal mood enhancers for depression are bountiful in nature, in friendships, with our animals (for me, snuggling with my dogs is exceptionally helpful), in creating or appreciating others’ creations, exercise, massage, caring for others, etc. If we are willing to be open-minded, the list can go on ad infinitum!
For some people, depression feels like a deep, dark, never-ending hole, seemingly inescapable and ever-present. Fortunately, there are many natural mood enhancers (non-prescription) to seek out, often used to bring light to an otherwise dismal situation.
Here are some thoughts as a place to begin:
- Spend time in nature
- Connecting with friends and family
- Playing with pets
- Expressing creativity
- Engage in physical activities
- Massage
- Get outside of yourself and help someone else
- Be curious; through curiosity, a world of possibilities will open
These activities can enhance mood by releasing endorphins and dopamine, essential hormones needed to experience pleasure. In fact, one activity that serves particularly well is physical exercise – movement.
- Exercise releases endorphins and dopamine, mimicking a natural state of euphoria.
- Socializing is also an effective way to enhance mood.
- The power of creating something also provides a sense of accomplishment, elevates mood, and serves as a form of self-expression.
For me, when I spend time playing my guitar or piano, I feel a sensation of peace and calm afterward. Not to mention a sense of accomplishment too!
By experimenting with some of the natural mood enhancers mentioned, man or woman, we can begin to experience improved well-being without getting doped up or numbed out.
Depression and pain
In conclusion, depression and pain are deeply connected, but consistent self-care, movement, connection, and curiosity can help us move forward with hope.