Stress & Hormones Q: Dear Susie, I am depressed and stressed a lot. Could it be my hormones?
By award-winning author and stress-relief expert Susie Mantell
A: You've touched on an important aspect of evaluating stress and depression in women. It sounds from your question as though you have some understanding about the powerful influence our hormones have over all sorts or functions of body, mind and "spirits." You didn't mention how old you are and that might come into play as well if you are, say, adolescent...or peri-menopausal...or have a new baby...but any woman of any age may experience a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms associated with cyclical hormonal shifts. The only way to really ascertain if there is something unusual going on hormonally would be to see your gynecologist and have some blood work done. Some women experience stress symptoms like tension and anxiety, "the blues," irritability or mood and weight fluctuations at various stages of both the menstrual cycle...and the life cycle. Some find they get clumsy, drop things, bump into stuff--There are all kinds of fun accompaniments to the tune of, "I Enjoy Being a Girl!" Some get acne, others find their skin is clearer; some crave certain foods...or avoid others like the plague. Unquestionably, men have their own "guy" issues to deal with, but it's quite a ride we women take through the peaks and valleys of hormonal changes.
A lot of women throughout peri-menopause (which I believe can span 10 or more years in some cases) notice mood changes, and even physical changes in their flow,etc. As one doctor put it: "Once you hit peri-menopause, all bets are off!" Things really do change, and each woman will experience even those changes differently. So you might not be pre-menstrual per se, yet notice some sensitivities you never did before. But whatever your age, my first suggestion would to go talk with your gynecologyst or internist and explore what might be happening or see if your depression and stress are coming from somewhere else altogether.
A couple of non-hormonal possibilities to check out:
-Try reducing caffeine. (It is amazing what even one cup of caffeinated coffee or caffeinated diet cola does to me!) Don't forget chocolate. ( Sorry!)
-Jot down on a calendar the times of day or days of the week that are better/worse. Look for a pattern.
-Eliminate sugar for 2 weeks and drink plenty of water to flush out your system. For some, sugar can act as a mood-altering drug and some would say it can bring on what a book on this very subject called, "Sugar Blues".
-Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
-Anything sad going on at home? At work? In a relationship? Worries? Change of some kind? Maybe it is reactive stress to something happening in your world.
-Try asking a good, trusted friend if they have any guess as to what's causing you to feel as you have been. Other people see us quite differently than we see ourselves and sometimes someone who knows us well and cares for us can observe what we cannot see in ourselves.
-Take a look at my stress tip called "70 Ways to Feel Really Good...Fast!" http://www.relaxintuit.com/tips.asp
Remember that we are all just doing the best we can day-to-day in a very demanding world and at a very fast-paced time. Many things are changing. Be gentle with yourself while you go throughwhatever this is, check out any medical issues,or emotional concerns to address or eliminate...Find someone who's a good listener, get outdoors, get some exercise and get some rest...and remember that "This too shall pass."
[Copyright 2000, 2008 Susie Mantell, Relax. . .Intuit (tm) LLC. All rights reserved.] Federal law prohibits use of this material in whole or in part without the express written consent of Relax...Intuit™ LLC. For Reprint
mission: Kindly email your request for guidelines, pasting in the full
text of the specific article you wish to use, to info@relaxintuit.com
We'll try to reply within 72 hrs.]
Award-winning stress-relief expert Susie Mantell ...is the author of the deeply soothing relaxation CD, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace,” clinically approved for symptoms associated with stress and sleeplessness, depression and grief, anxiety, P.T.S.D., Fibromyalgia, caregiver stress, cancer, pain, divorce and addiction recovery. Featured in The Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS-TV, Town & Country, The American Pain Society, Hazelden and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, listeners include The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Betty Ford Center, V.A. Hospitals,and Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa.) Customizing stress-reduction for Fortune 500 companies, distinguished hospitals and spas, Mantell has facilitated thousands in relieving health-related, work-related, chronic or traumatic stress. Her multi-sensory, mind-body techniques appear in national media, medical and corporate publications. Susie Mantell's Stress-Relief & Wellness Tips are intended as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, professional health care. Order “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” and find more of Mantell’s stress-relief tips at www.relaxintuit.com