Living with depression is difficult. For those living with depression for years, the struggles can seem almost unbearable. Chronic depression takes its toll and can significantly impact lives, but the situation isn’t hopeless. If you’ve been struggling with depression for a long time, there are things you can do to loosen its grip on you.

Living with Depression for Years Causes Suffering

When you live with chronic depression, you may notice that this disorder’s intensity fluctuates and can be mild at times, sometimes moderate, and severe at other times. Regardless of the degree of severity, some symptoms are always present. This can interfere in quality of life. Studies have shown that chronic depression creates more impairment in functioning than shorter-lasting depression (Harvard Health Publishing, 2009).

Having unrelenting symptoms of depression can seem like the illness is your lifestyle. It’s wearing to have long-term:

• Lack of interest in activities
• Isolation from people, including friends and family
• Relationship problems
• Hopelessness
• Frustration
• Negative outlook on yourself and your life
• Difficulties having fun or experiencing pleasure
• Challenges adjusting to limitations
• Struggles with school or work

Living with depression for years interferes in your ability to create a quality life and feel good about it, and it also impacts your healthy relationship with yourself, robbing you of a positive sense of who you are.  When depression endures, it can seem like it’s just who you are, your very identity. This is a real belief. However, it’s inaccurate and distorted by depression.

Acknowledging your thoughts and feelings about yourself and then considering that they may be caused by depression and therefore not true can be an effective starting point for healing from chronic depression. Give yourself permission to ponder questions such as:

• Am I really my depression?
• Who am I at my core?

This creates some distance between you and the illness, which you can use to expand your sense of yourself and what you’d like your life to be like. This isn’t easy, of course, but by seeking professional help you can discover the real you and live well with depression.

Continually Struggling with Depression: What Helps?

Three general types of treatment exist for those living and struggling with depression for years: antidepressants, mental health therapy, and developing a collection of coping skills. All have been shown to be somewhat effective on their own, and when you use them in combination, their effectiveness increases. Also, for long-term depression, these depression treatments are best when continued over time.

Many types of medication exist for depression. Regular appointments and open communication with your doctor or psychiatrist for medication and your therapist for mental health treatment will help you get what you need for the right length of time.

Three types of therapy have been shown in research studies to be helpful for chronic depression.

Interpersonal therapy lets you explore who you are, separate from depression. Over time and with persistence, you discover yourself, realize that depression is not your identity regardless of how many years you’ve had it, and develop genuine self-esteem and positive self-regard.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify, challenge, and change the automatic negative thoughts of chronic depression.  With the guidance of a therapist, you’ll begin to reclaim your thoughts so you can live your life unencumbered by depressive thoughts and feelings.

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) This version of CBT focuses on how you perceive people, situations, and events. Communication and behaviors are key components, too. You learn to break down problems and discover things that might have changed if you behaved or reacted differently. You see how depression takes over and learn new ways of responding to issues that make things more positive.

Regardless of the type of therapy you have, you’ll work with your therapist to develop positive coping skills and ways to use them to lessen depression’s hold on you. You’ll create skills that are specific to you and your life situation. In general, the purpose of developing coping skills is to help you:

• Gradually return to activities
• Rebuild relationships that have suffered
• Remember what you used to enjoy and/or discover new passions
• Increase social interactions (join groups, take classes, volunteer)
• Plan physical activities to boost mood and keep depression away

Taking medication and engaging in therapy will help you go from struggling with depression for years to seeing yourself and your life in a new light and feeling willing and able to participate. It’s possible to overcome chronic depression, but it is a process that takes time and patience with yourself. As you take back your life, you just might develop self-confidence that you didn’t know you had and passions you didn’t know you wanted to pursue. Imagine the possibilities of living without depression for years.

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Loving someone with depression can make you feel incredibly helpless. You may think that if you could just do or say the right thing, you could help them feel better. However, depression is complicated. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when loving someone who has depression is to treat the illness as if it is a mood. Depression is a real and debilitating condition that you cannot fix. However, by treating your loved one with care, compassion and patience, you can play a crucial role in their recovery. Here are five things should know about loving someone with depression.

5 Things You Need to Know About Loving Someone with Depression

1. Depression is a real illness
   
   Depression is not something your loved one can "snap out of." Unlike ordinary sadness or feeling down after a hard day at work, depression may not be lifted by a good night's sleep or a walk in the fresh air. According to recent statistics, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and although many people with depression never experience suicidal thoughts, depression can still take a significant toll on a person's life. It can lead to issues at work, addiction problems and financial hardship if left untreated.
   
   The good news is, most cases of depression are highly treatable. People with mild depression may find that a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes and a short course of antidepressant medications help them feel better. For those with moderate or major depression, the road to recovery might be longer and more challenging.
    
2. Depression recovery isn’t a straight line
   
   One of the hardest and most difficult steps someone with depression can take is seeking help. It can be frustrating, then, when their efforts to get better don’t pay off right away. It's easy to assume that once someone starts taking medication or going to therapy that everything gets better from there. However, the road to recovery isn't always a straight line.
   
   There will be days when your loved one feels well and seems happy and cheerful. There may be other days when they can barely lift their head from the pillow. This is normal and to be expected. Aside from anything else, managing a mental illness is exhausting. Whether they’re in the throes of deep depression or they’ve been seeking treatment for years, your loved one needs your support and acceptance, even if you don’t always understand what they’re going through.
    
3. There isn’t always a “reason” for depression
   
   When loving someone with depression, it’s important to understand that depression is more than ordinary sadness. Depression is a recognized clinical disorder that affects 300 million people around the world. It is estimated that 15% of the population experiences depression at some point in their lifetime.
   
   While depression can occur as a reaction to stressful life circumstances, there isn't always a reason why someone you love is depressed. Even when life is going well, chemicals in the brain can cause moods to go out of balance, causing symptoms of depression. There is also a genetic component, meaning your loved one is more likely to experience depression if it runs in their family.
    
4. Your language is important
   
   While nothing you say can “fix” your loved one or improve their mood, the language you use is still important. People who are depressed often feel ashamed or guilty. Depression may tell them that they are a burden on their friends and family or that they don't deserve love. If there's anything you can do, it's to rid them of the notion that they are worthless. In short, your job is to help them feel loved when they feel unlovable.
   
   Loving someone who has depression means using sympathetic language to communicate. You may feel frustrated at times, but the last thing you'll want to do is to make a person with depression feel worse about something they cannot control. You want to make your loved one feel accepted and validated while promoting open dialogue. Rather than stating, “You’ve been in bed all day. I’m worried about you,” say, “I’ve noticed you’ve been in bed all day. How do you feel?”
    
5. Sometimes, all you can do is listen
   
   It's easy to feel powerless when someone you love is suffering. However, it's not your job to know the right things to say. Sometimes, the most valuable support you can offer is to listen without judgment.
   
   However, lending an ear to someone who's depressed isn't as easy as it sounds. Depressed people can be very negative; they might express feelings of worthlessness or claim that the world is better off without them. These words can be difficult for loved ones to hear, but it's vital that those with depression feel free to express themselves rather than bottling up their emotions or faking feeling well.

I Love Someone with Depression: What Can I Do?

Loving someone with depression certainly has its challenges. However, depression can also facilitate closeness and help you foster a deeper connection with someone you love.

In terms of what you can do, try not to focus on offering a solution. While suggesting treatment or offering to accompany your loved one to the doctor can be helpful, most depression sufferers don’t turn to others to cure them – they know it’s not that simple. However, if someone expresses suicidal thoughts or feelings – it’s important to act. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) 24 hours a day for free and confidential support.

See Also:

• How to Love Someone with Depression: Sometimes It Ain’t Easy
• How to Deal with Someone with Depression: It Can Be Frustrating

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How does depression affect relationships? The answer to this question will be different depending on who you ask. While depression has become an all-encompassing term, there are varying degrees and types of depression, and each person is affected differently. While mild or situational depression may only affect someone in the short term (after the loss of a loved one, for example), clinical depression is a long-term condition that requires careful management.

Depression affecting relationships is a major concern for the person with the illness as well as their loved ones. However, the dynamic in every relationship is unique, so while depression might prove too much for one partnership, it could well strengthen another so not all love relationships with depression are doomed to fail. Although many of the struggles of depressed people and their partners are similar, there is no one way in which depression affects relationships.

How Depression Affects Relationships When One Person Is Depressed

As with any serious illness, depression can take its toll on even the happiest of relationships, but that doesn’t mean the partnership won’t survive. If you can find a way to communicate and support one another, then going through depression as a couple can build trust and create a deeper bond between you and your partner.

A healthy and nurturing relationship can also be instrumental in helping someone manage their depression. Depression is isolating and makes sufferers want to withdraw. However, having someone who listens and tries to understand can make a world of difference. Studies show that maintaining positive and loving connections to others is the leading factor in mental wellbeing in 89% of cases, with many of us leaning on support givers such as spouses and family members in times of need.

On the flipside, evidence suggests that those in unhappy relationships are twice as likely to be depressed than those who aren’t. Other studies have found that over 60% of depressed patients cited relationships as the leading cause of their ill mental health ("Depression from Relationships: 5 Signs It’s Depressing You"). Whether depression is caused by an unhappy relationship or those with depression are just more likely to enter into unhealthy relationships is unclear. However, depression can only have a positive effect on you and your partner if the relationship itself is positive.

Depression: How It Affects Relationships When Both Partners Are Depressed.

A relationship can take on an entirely different dynamic when both partners are depressed. Sometimes, the strain of being in a relationship with someone who’s depressed can lead to poor mental health in the other partner. In some cases, both partners may become depressed as a result of financial difficulty, a shared bereavement or extreme hardship. Others may share a diagnosis of clinical depression or an illness with a depressive component, such as bipolar disorder.

In all cases of depression in relationships, the advice remains the same. Honest, open communication is key to maintaining a fulfilling relationship, and understanding is crucial. Whether you are depressed or looking after someone who is, depression can be frustrating and hard to fathom. Try not to lose your temper or take your feelings out on your partner. No one chooses to be depressed. Depression can’t be “snapped out of” or overridden. And, contrary to traditional views, tough love won’t work in this scenario. People who are depressed need love, patience and support. They need a soft place to fall when their world (however small) becomes too much.

Is There a “Good” Side to Depression In a Relationship?

Depression has many effects on relationships, but not all of them are bad. Of course, if you’ve ever grappled with depression, you’ll know how painful it can be. But depression is your body's way of telling you that something's not right with your world. It forces you to stop and take stock – of yourself, your life and your relationships.  

Some scholars argue that depression makes relationships better. According to J. Anderson Thomson, MD, assistant director of the Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville: “Most of the things that involve depression are interpersonal problems.” Therefore, you can pay attention to what you learn from depression and use it to improve your relationships.

It may not always be easy loving someone with depression. But while depression isn't part of that person, it is a valuable part of their experience – a part that deserves love, empathy and admiration just as all the others do.

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Some prefer to seek out a dissociative identity disorder (DID) treatment center for help as DID treatment can be quite intensive. Treatment facilities that work with dissociative identity disorder are not generally DID-specific, but rather, have it as one of their specialties, possibly along with other trauma-related disorders.

Who Needs A Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment Center?

Some people with dissociative identity disorder can be successfully treated in an outpatient setting by a mental health professional, but, for others, a DID treatment center is a good choice. If a person is experiencing frequent or profound and damaging dissociative episodes with multiple personalities (alters) and long-term dissociative amnesia, an intensive inpatient dissociative identity disorder treatment facility may be warranted. Entering an inpatient facility is a personal choice but one that can help the individual and his or her family.

One of the advantages of a DID treatment center is that it can focus on a person holistically by treating a person with a team rather than one, individual healthcare professional who may only specialize in one area.

What Happens When You Check Into A DID Treatment Facility?

The check-in process is different for different DID treatment facilities, but it is likely something similar to this:

• A full psychiatric and physical health history will be taken.
• Tests, such as blood tests, may be ordered.
• Any psychiatric diagnoses will be revisited and confirmed.
• An assessment for possible medication use may be done by a psychiatrist.

Once these things are done, a treatment plan can be developed and different forms of DID therapy may start.

What Therapies Are Offered at DID Treatment Centers?

Treatments and therapies differ per dissociative identity disorder treatment center, but DID treatments offered may include:

• Individual psychotherapy sessions (up to five per week)
• Specific behavioral therapies like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• Trauma-focused therapies like eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Anger management
• Sleep hygiene
• Psychoeducation
• Neurofeedback
• Creative therapies such as art and music therapy
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Yoga
• Acupuncture
• Massage

Different therapies may work with the individual or be conducted in a group setting.

Finding a Dissociative Identity Disorder Treatment Center

It is important, when looking into treatment centers, to find one with a specialized program for dissociative disorders or trauma survivors. The easiest way to locate a DID treatment facility near you is to search for it on an Internet search engine like Google. Make sure that you check out any dissociative identity disorder treatment center in person before considering admittance to make sure you feel that their program is right for you.

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Detailed info on the difference between bipolar depression and unipolar depression and the importance of having a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

What is the difference between bipolar depression and unipolar depression?

Bipolar depression is the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. It may alternate with mania or hypomania. It can also occur at the same time as mania in a mixed episode.

There is one set of symptoms for depressive episodes. These may occur in bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder (unipolar depression). Each person's experience is a little bit different. Researchers have studied possible differences in symptoms of bipolar and unipolar depression.

With bipolar depression, people are more likely to have symptoms like feelings of worthlessness and loss of interest. They may also have increased sleep and appetite, and feel slowed down. There might be psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. Bipolar depression is thought to have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Unipolar depression is more likely to include anxiety, tearfulness, insomnia and loss of appetite. It is not always easy for the person who has depressive symptoms to identify and describe them.

More than half of people with bipolar disorder experience depression before they experience mania. Doctors often recommend starting treatment with a mood stabilizer instead of an antidepressant if a person might have bipolar disorder.

Researchers believe that with bipolar disorder, depressive symptoms are more likely than manic symptoms to continue at a low level and interfere with life. Symptoms must be carefully monitored and treated to complete recovery. People with bipolar I disorder (alternating depression and mania) often have depression three times as often as they have mania. With bipolar II disorder, (alternating depression and hypomania) people may not have recognizable or disabling mania at all.

Because of the difficulty in diagnosing bipolar II disorder, researchers believe bipolar illness is much more common that we once thought. Nearly seven out of ten people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed. The most common initial misdiagnosis is depression.

If you have symptoms of depression and are unsure whether you have unipolar or bipolar disorder, talk about it with your doctor. Examine your family history. Write down your symptoms so you don't forget them. Tell your doctor all of the symptoms you've had. Be sure to mention symptoms you don't have at the time of your appointment. These may include racing thoughts, high energy, less sleep, irritability, or risktaking. Correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder is important to getting the right treatment and preventing future depression or mania.

Psychotherapy is also a helpful treatment for depression or bipolar disorder. Talk therapy can help you cope with symptoms and develop a healthy lifestyle. It can also help you avoid things that could trigger future depressive or manic episodes.

What Is Dissociation? Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

Dissociation can be defined as disruptions in aspects of consciousness, identity, memory, physical actions and/or the environment. When a person experiences severe dissociation symptoms, they may be diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. The specific signs and symptoms of dissociation for any given person vary depending on the type of dissociative disorder they experience (list of dissociative disorders). When dissociation symptoms become severe, they can disrupt daily life.

Causes of Dissociation

The causes of dissociation typically include trauma, often prolonged trauma, such as sexual or physical abuse, in childhood. The stress of war or natural disasters may also cause dissociation. Dissociation is more common in children, which is why this particular behavior is often developed in childhood. Dissociation is a coping skill used to separate the person from the traumatic event(s) and memories of the traumatic event(s). Children find it particularly easy to "step out of themselves" as their identity is still forming. Dissociation may be worsened during times of stress, even in adulthood, in those who have learned this coping skill.

Symptoms of Dissociation

Symptoms of dissociation are different depending on the type of dissociation the person experiences. Some of the symptoms of dissociation as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) are:

• A major inability to remember personally-relevant events in a way that can't be accounted for by regular forgetfulness or a medical condition (amnesia)
• Confused and dazed wandering (known as a dissociative fugue)
• Two or more identities or personality traits within a single person
• Transfer of behavioral control to each identity
• Feelings that objects in the external world are changing in shape and size
• Feeling that people are automated and inhuman

When a person experiences a dissociative disorder, these symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning such as at school or interpersonally.

Signs of Dissociation

There are signs of dissociation in addition to the above symptoms of dissociation. Signs of dissociation include:

• Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and actions
• A sense of detachment from oneself; seeing one's life as if it is a movie
• An unclear sense of identity
• Significant stress or problems in relationships, work or other important areas of your life
• A presence of multiple people talking or living in your head, or a feeling of possession by another identity

Signs and symptoms of dissociation can happen for moments or last for years.

Dissociation Treatment

The primary treatment for dissociation involves psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk" therapy). During psychotherapy, your experiences of dissociation will be discussed and new coping techniques will be taught. Once new coping techniques have been learned and are effective, the initial trauma that caused the start of the dissociation symptoms will likely be discussed in an attempt to deal with it and move past it.

There are no Food and Drug Administration approved medications for dissociation but doctors will prescribe medications to help deal with some of the dissociation symptoms. Medications that may be prescribed are:

• Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medication)
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Anticonvulsants

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Depression in pregnancy can not only zap joy out of a special time, it can pose serious risks to both mother and baby. Approximately one in seven women, almost 15 percent, live with significant depression during pregnancy. While antepartum depression can be dangerous, there are treatments available to help. Read on to know the signs and symptoms of as well as treatments for depression in pregnancy.

Being depressed during pregnancy doesn’t mean that a woman is unhappy that she’s having a baby. Often, someone is glad to be pregnant and wants to welcome a baby into her life, but certain biological, psychological, and situational factors can trigger depression:

• Extensive hormonal fluctuations
• Personal or family history of depression in pregnancy
• Effects of infertility treatments
• Pregnancy complications
• Previous miscarriage
• Excessive stress
• Past or present trauma

Whether or not you have these depression triggers, you might worry that you have more than the blues. Fortunately, there signs and symptoms to help spot depression in pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression During Pregnancy

While it can occur any time during pregnancy, some research suggests that depression often strikes during the first and third trimesters (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2019). You might consider talking to your doctor if you notice symptoms involving your body (other than pregnancy-related changes), mood, and life:

Physical symptoms and signs can involve:

• An inability to eat the number of calories recommended for a healthy pregnancy (you might eat too few or too many)
• Headaches
• Persistent digestive troubles
• Excessive anxiety about how your body feels or looks

Mood-related depression symptoms and signs include:

• Prolonged sadness that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Frequent crying
• A sense of guilt and/or worthlessness with themes of inadequacy regarding motherhood and family life
• Thoughts of harming yourself, including suicide (If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call or chat online with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away (1-800-273-8255)

Some signs that depression is interfering in your life:

• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling too drained to be active, including preparing for your baby’s arrival
• Disinterest in your baby
• Withdrawing and isolating
• An inability to feel reassured or comforted

These symptoms can be frightening, especially given that they put both the woman and her baby at risk for serious consequences.

Risks of Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy can negatively impact the health and wellbeing of the mother and developing infant. A pregnant woman suffering from depression might not be able to properly engage in the level of self-care needed during this important time. This can lead to poor nutrition and inadequate weight gain. Depression during pregnancy also increases the risk of post-partum depression, which can interfere in a mother’s ability to bond with and care for her newborn, including providing the routine medical care her baby needs.

A developing baby can be harmed by maternal depression (American Pregancy Association, n.d.; Harvard Health Publishing, 2017); March of Dimes, 2019). Babies whose mothers are depressed are at risk of premature birth and low birth weight, both harmful to infant health. These babies are frequently more irritable and less active or responsive than babies whose mothers didn’t have untreated depression during pregnancy. Other risks to the baby include developmental delays and learning- or behavior problems later in life.

Fortunately, depression in pregnancy is treatable. You and your baby don’t have to suffer, and negative consequences aren’t inevitable.

Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy

Multiple treatment options can help you overcome this challenge. Medication, talk therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and lifestyle adjustments can ease depression symptoms

When the health risks to you and/or your baby outweigh the risks of medication, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to help you. Some medications carry risks such as gestational diabetes for the mother or, for the baby after birth, birth defects, respiratory distress, withdrawal symptoms, fussiness, and trouble breastfeeding. Others, though, are much safer to take during pregnancy. Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft (sertraline), and Prozac (fluoxetine) are among the safer options, as are some selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine).  

Working with a therapist can help you sort out your thoughts and feelings. You’ll gain helpful tools to use to beat your symptoms and regain the life you want. Individual, group, couples, and family therapy have been shown to make a positive difference.

Still other safe and helpful treatments:

• Eating nutritious foods and avoiding food that is processed, refined, sugary, fatty, and salty
• Exercising daily (always check with your doctor for pregnancy-friendly options)
• Getting adequate sleep
• Using a lightbox
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Depression during pregnancy is challenging and can be risky for mother and child. Knowing what signs and symptoms to watch for can help you seek treatment early and enjoy a mentally and physically healthy pregnancy.

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Depression during your period, month after month, is frustrating to deal with. Experiencing depression on your period is largely caused by hormonal fluctuations that occur as a normal part of the menstrual cycle. In the week or two leading up to your period, and lifting shortly after your period, you might experience a pervasive sadness, irritability, anxiety, a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy, sleep problems, and weight changes—all symptoms of major depressive disorder. Does this mean you have clinical depression for a week or two a month? Possibly, but not necessarily. Here’s what you need to know about depression and your period.

Depression Before Your Period: Why Does It Strike?

Mood changes with your menstrual cycle are annoying, but they’re a normal part of the process. Menstruation is your body’s way of preparing for pregnancy. At the beginning of your cycle, your ovaries prepare to release an egg. When an egg is mature, it’s released to journey through the fallopian tube and into your uterus. If it’s fertilized by a sperm on the journey, it will attach itself to the lining in your uterus that has been forming all month. If it isn’t fertilized, it will travel out of your body and the uterine lining will follow suit. Minor bleeding happens when the lining detaches from the walls of the uterus. This is your period, and then the cycle begins anew.

What does this have to do with depression? Plenty. Several hormones drive the entire menstrual cycle. Two primary hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Their levels fluctuate during the month, which affects neurotransmitters in your brain like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins. These affect mood and emotional regulation. As they change throughout the monthly cycle, your mood can, too, if you are sensitive to hormonal shifts that happen in your brain and body (UNC Healthcare, 2008).

It’s estimated that about 40 percent of women are sensitive to these hormonal shifts and experience physical and mental symptoms, including depression symptoms, every month starting mid-cycle with ovulation and ending with the onset of their period. Among these women, the nature of depression varies greatly.

Depression and Your Period: Just a Bad Mood, or Something More?

The experience of depression before a period is different for each person. Some women experience only mild symptoms, a few days of being slightly down in the dumps and grouchy. Others, though, have clinical depression that is life-disrupting for one to two weeks every cycle.

Moderate depression that is bothersome but doesn’t shut you down is often part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A more severe form of PMS that affects approximately five- to 10 percent of women (UNC Medical School, n.d.) is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD can be extremely disruptive and cause women to miss work or school, withdraw from friends or family, cry frequently, and even have difficulty getting out of bed and otherwise practicing self-care. When their period begins, these symptoms disappear, but they return in the middle of the next cycle.

About 40 percent of women who seek treatment discover that there is more to their cyclical depression than PMS or PMDD (UNC School of Medicine, n.d.). In these cases, the issue is not menstrual-related depression but an underlying mood disorder that is made worse by hormonal fluctuations each month.

If you experience monthly depression symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor about what is happening. Whether you experience very mild depression with your menstrual cycle, or you have PMS, PMDD, or an underlying mood disorder, there are things you can do to lessen depression’s impact on your life.

Treating Depression and Your Period: What You Need to Know

Different treatment approaches can help you minimize depression during your period. Your doctor can help determine what may be most effective for you. The different treatment options give you control over what’s happening in your body and include such things as:

• Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to minimize depression symptoms or hormonal birth control to reduce hormonal fluctuations and help prevent depression symptoms from occurring
• Proper nutrition, including complex carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids as well as cutting processed foods, excessive sugar, and caffeine (see "List of Best Foods for Fighting Depression")
• Daily exercise
• Getting enough sleep
• Practicing self-care through activities like meditation, yoga, journaling, and pursuing a hobby you enjoy
• Working with a therapist to help you change your thoughts and process your emotions

If you experience depression before your period, know that it’s part of your normal cycle rather than a weakness or character flaw. Know, too, that you don’t have to put up with it. Talk to your doctor for recommendations on how to feel better.

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Depression in menopause is not a myth, nor is it a woman overreacting to situations or feelings. Numerous studies conducted over decades have demonstrated a connection between perimenopause (the transitional phase leading to menopause), menopause, and major depression (Clayton & Hinan, 2010). Harvard Women’s Health Watch (2018) reports that a woman’s depression risk “doubles or even quadruples” during this time. Depression can indeed be a very real part of this process, but it isn’t inevitable. You can reduce the symptoms or avoid depression in menopause altogether. Keep reading to equip yourself to do just that.

Avoid Depression in Menopause by Knowing Symptoms to Watch for

Perimenopause and menopause involve many big changes in the brain and body. Your system is shifting away from a focus on creating and growing new life to a focus on nurturing the lives that already exist—yours and your loved ones’. That’s a significant transformation and one that involves internal shifts.

Specific depression symptoms to watch for include somatic, physiological, and psychological and include:

• Feelings of sadness
• Aches and pains throughout the body
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Digestive discomfort and trouble
• Difficulty sleeping, often because of night sweats
• Decreased sex drive
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation or even mild interest in something you used to enjoy
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating

Too often, women suffer these symptoms for years assuming they’re just part of “the change” and nothing can be done. If you start to experience symptoms and find that they’re interfering in your ability to live your life, checking in with your doctor could help you avoid major depression in menopause before it sets in.

Knowing some of the risks and reasons for depression is another way to manage your menopausal mood changes.

Why Depression Can Be a Part of Menopause

Knowing the reasons for depression during your time of transition helps you evaluate your risk. This knowledge is personal power. You can address the reasons and reduce your likelihood of depression.

Among the reasons a woman’s depression risk increases during menopause:

Hormonal fluctuations. Hormone levels change as women enter menopause. A drop in estrogen, in particular, is responsible for depression symptoms. Estrogen affects the functioning of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins, which play a role in mood and emotions. When estrogen drops, these important neurochemicals are affected and can contribute to depression.

Life changes and other stressors. Hormones aside, the age during which perimenopause and menopause occur (timing is different for each woman, but the process often occurs in the 40s and 50s is a time of significant life changes. Changing relationships, children leaving home, new roles, career shifts, caring for aging parents, and thoughts of one’s own aging are common at this time. Even when they are positive, adjustments can be difficult. Add the hormonal fluctuations to the mix, and depression can result.

Lifestyle factors. An unhealthy lifestyle is a factor in depression. Poor nutrition, little exercise, alcohol or other substance use, smoking, and a lack of activities that bring meaning to life, combined with life changes, stress, and hormonal fluctuations can be a perfect storm for major depression to form.

Other risk factors. Studies have found that previous bouts of depression, a history of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and Caucasian ethnicity all increase a woman’s chances of major depression during menopause.

While some of these factors are beyond your control, others are things that you can take action to improve. The following tips can help you.

Easing or Avoiding Depression in Menopause

Several different treatment options can help you deal with, and even avoid, depression through menopause:

• Hormone therapy (also called hormone replacement therapy or estrogen replacement therapy)
• Antidepressant medication
• Talk therapy
• Lifestyle changes

Hormone therapy is a helpful option for many women. Taking estrogen pills can ease many menopause symptoms. Estrogen replacement alone isn’t enough to treat depression, but it can ease the symptoms when they occur. It hasn’t been found to be effective in preventing the onset of depression.

Antidepressants can help with depression during this period of life transition. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically the type of antidepressant that works best for menopause-related depression.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in helping you avoid depression or, if you are already experiencing depressive symptoms, minimize them. Physical movement is crucial. Exercising daily in a way that is fun for you leads to physical changes in the brain that can trump hormonal changes. Healthy eating is important for emotional health as well. Manage stress by balancing responsibilities with enjoyable hobbies and activities, and become involved in organizations, clubs, or classes to meet people, form positive relationships, and embrace your new stage of life.

A healthy perspective helps, too. Knowing that menopause is a normal phase of life that can bring mood changes can help you separate yourself from the downs of menopause. You can’t avoid menopause, but you can minimize or avoid depression during menopause.

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Don’t know how to deal with a depressed husband? Watching someone you love experience depression can make you feel frustrated and helpless. You may not know the right things to say or do, or you may not be able to understand what they’re going through. You might also fear making the depression worse if you can’t offer the support they need. Loving someone with depression is challenging, but there are plenty of things you can do to help your partner through depression. Here’s how to deal with a depressed husband.  

How to Deal with a Depressed Husband: Understanding Is Crucial

It’s difficult to know how to deal with a depressed husband, especially if you’ve never experienced depression yourself. The illness is incredibly isolating, and those experiencing it often feel like they’re the only ones who’ve ever felt that way – even if everything they read, see and hear tells them differently. Standing on the sidelines while your husband is in pain can feel frustrating and hopeless, but understanding is key to bridging that gap and dealing with a depressed husband compassionately.

If you want to know how to deal with a depressed husband, increasing your understanding is a great place to start. Getting to know his condition better will not only help you find new ways to help and support him, but it will also help him feel less alone in his fight.

So, how can you understand depression better? Attending a support group for loved ones is one idea, as is reading about depression online or in self-help books. Depression is a common illness, affecting 15% of U.S. adults at some stage in their lives, so there are plenty of resources out there to help you navigate the topic. However, according to Psycom, the best way to learn is to ask open-ended questions and use empathetic listening.

Dealing with a Depressed Husband: 3 Things You Should Know

Knowing how to deal with a depressed husband isn’t easy. Perhaps he has never experienced any mental health difficulties before, or he has always been upbeat and positive. Whatever the story behind your relationship, one partner becoming depressed often shifts the dynamics in a relationship, which can make things difficult because depression can hurt relationships.

To help ease the strain, here are three things you should know about dealing with a depressed husband.

1. A supportive home environment is crucial

Minimizing stress is key to dealing with a depressed husband. You’ll want to create a low-stress environment that revolves around a simple routine to encourage your partner to heal. Some tips include:

• Prepare healthy food for your husband or encourage him to cook for himself
• Encourage him to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day
• Make plans together, even if they’re low-key. You might decide to rent a movie or order take-out if your husband doesn’t want to leave the house. Plan small activities for you both to look forward to.
• Be positive about your partner’s accomplishments. Never make him feel like you don’t believe in him.

2. Reaching small goals will increase your partner’s confidence

Depression often makes people feel weak and codependent, so it's important not to take over your husband's life. Encourage independence by setting – and helping him reach – small goals, such as taking a shower or eating a healthy meal. You may decide to break down larger tasks (e.g., accessing treatment) into smaller goals.

Each time he achieves one of these goals, however small, tell him you're proud of him. Some days he won't be capable of even attempting them, and that's okay. Tell him you're behind him no matter what kind of day he's having, and you want to help him get better.

3. The warning signs of suicide are often hard to spot

No one likes to think about someone they love feeling suicidal. However, suicidal thoughts affect up to 15% of people experiencing depression, so you need to be on your guard. People who are suicidal often hide these thoughts from others because they feel ashamed, or else they’re worried that their loved ones will try to stop them. These statistics might be scary but being aware of them is crucial if you want to know how to deal with a depressed husband.

According to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), the warning signs of suicide include:

• Acting agitated, anxious or restless
• Extreme mood swings
• Talking about wanting to die, in person or on social media
• Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Researching ways to hurt or kill oneself

Understand that no one is to blame for suicidal thoughts or actions – they are symptoms of a debilitating illness and not acts of selfishness or weakness. If you spot any of these signs in your partner, it's important to act right away. You can call The Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) for advice and support. If your husband is acutely suicidal, contact the emergency services in your area.

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