5 'Middle age' depression triggers

next stepDo you feel like middle age is closing in on you? That feeling peaks for women around age 40, and for men when they turn 50. Millions of people world  wide find themselves in a midlife depression. Fortunatelly those 'midlife' feelings starts to lift in the 50s. By that age people have learned  to adapt to their strengths and their weaknesses  and start value life more, according to several researches.


What can be triggers for a depression and what to do about them?

  • Demands, demands, demands
    Especially women can find themselves squeezed between the demands of their children, parents, relationship and work. They seem to feel that there is no way to keep everybody happy, and that reflects on them. They feel a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem
    To do: take care of yourself too! Have some free time, charter someone to help out.
  • No desire for sex
    As men age, their produce less of the sex hormone testosterone. This can cause an erectile dysfunction and stress. Men are not able to enjoy things that they find usually pleasurable or interesting
    To do: go to a doctor to test the levels of testosterone in your blood and if needed, ask about a treatment.
  • Perimenopause and Menopause
    Hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and life changes related to perimenopause and menopause can make your mood plummet. Many women in these period of their life have trouble sleeping,  moodswings of feelings of depression.
    To do: for mild depression, try self-calming skills such as yoga or deep breathing and find things to do that make you feel better. Try to eat healthy. When you have a serious problem or when depression is really bad, go to a doctor.
  • The empty nest
    If your (last) child has left home, an you can experience the 'empty nest syndrom'.  Going through menopause or retirement at the same time may make it harder.
    To do: try to see it as an opportunity. Reconnect with your spouse, other family members, and friends. Do thing you didn't have time for before. Allow yourself  time to adjust. If your mood doesn't lift in a few months, talk to your doctor.
  • Poor Sleep
    Insomnia and other sleep disruptions are common, especially as we age.  Lack of sleep can make you have mood changes and even cause depression.
    To do: you can try to exercise, avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. But assuming you have tried about everything already we advise you to your doctor and talk about your sleep disruptions.

Do you know of any more triggers, and of course what to do about them?

Based on an article on webmd

Comments   

 
+5 #1 RED 2014-07-05 13:53
"Middle" age doesn't have to be depressing or taken as a down turn of your life! We are older swingers in our mid 50s and we still enjoy sex and all the other advantages of being "seasoned". Life, after menopause; my sex drive actually increased. More free time, because the kids are grown and out of the house; we can now host couples. We both do exercise daily and try to eat right. We save our wine and drinking just for the weekends. We also love traveling and meeting new people. We are fortunate that we were able to retire early.
Don't look at getting older as a "bad" part of life! You still can have fun and do the things you want to. Make the most of your life!
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