Hormones, Unbalanced Brain Chemistry & Depression in Women

It is an unfortunate medical fact that women are diagnosed with depression at a rate of 2:1 over men. According to Dr. Louann Brizendine, author of The Female Brain, prior to the onset of puberty, incidences of depression and emotional disorders among boys and girls are virtually the same. But, usher in adolescence and the washing of the brain with estrogen and the anecdotal evidence is clear: women are more depressed than men.

Hormones & Depression

Without question, hormone imbalance plays a huge role in depression among women. What woman hasn't complained of irritability, mood swings, and depression during times of PMS? During perimenopause, when hormones are fluctuating wildly, severe mood swings and debilitating bouts of depression are also common complaints. Even during menopause, when a woman expects to be free of the bothersome symptoms of perimenopause, low levels of estrogen continue to cause issues with depression for many.

Despite the obvious connection between hormones and depression, few women know what to do about it. Out of desperation, some choose antidepressants. While they certainly have their place, the bothersome side effects, along with the perceived psychological stigma that accompanies the use of antidepressants, turns many women off.

The Role of Hormones & Brain Chemistry and Depression in Women

In order to feel well emotionally, it is imperative that our brain chemistry is in balance. There are many causes of brain chemistry imbalance. But, for women, it is often the result of shifting hormones. Unfortunately, few women understand how much their hormones affect the balance of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, the brain neurotransmitters responsible for stabilizing our moods.

When these brain chemical power players are in balance we feel calm, peaceful, content, and in control. Our perceptions of reality are generally hopeful and confident. When changing hormone cycles disrupt that delicate balance, however, emotional calamity can result.

Estrogen fluctuations, for example, can cause serotonin to drop to low levels, which severely impacts mood. Without adequate levels of serotonin in your brain, you may experience agitation, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

In turn, low serotonin levels inhibit the ability of a woman's ovaries to produce adequate amounts of estrogen. A natural antidepressant and mood stabilizer, when estrogen levels are too low or too high, moods can swing wildly from extreme rage to extreme depression, as many women can attest.

This short-circuited brain chemistry loop can set in motion a self-perpetuating cycle of depression that is hard break without an understanding of what causes it in the first place.

How Should We Treat Depression?

One of the best places for women to begin when treating depression is to understand the role hormone imbalance plays in the balance of her brain chemistry.

Introducing the right amount of bioidentical hormones at the right time during a woman's menstrual cycle, for example, will help rebalance her estrogen levels, and is a crucial step in helping to combat depression.

Nutritional supplements, such as amino acid therapy, can help restore balance to the neurotransmitters serotonin, GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine. B-vitamins, essential fatty acids, and a diet rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, not only improves physical health, but supports good brain function, which in turn, helps to balance brain chemistry.

Healthier Lifestyle Choices

Illness or disease rarely occurs in a vacuum. Seeking to balance hormones and brain chemistry, therefore, should be undertaken in the overall context of pursuing good health.

Good health is a true holistic proposition that requires we address all of our needs: spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional. Good food, exercise, rest, and addressing the issues in our life that may bring us unhappiness, are also part of the process in conquering depression.

Depression is and can be a very debilitating health issue for many women, sometimes requiring long-term therapy and medication. However, having an accurate understanding of what actually occurs in our body when we suffer from mood disorders, not only helps demystify the process, but empowers us as well.

Finally, if you have been diagnosed with long-term, clinical depression, and are currently taking medication, it is extremely important that you follow the advice and care of your physician and/or medical health professional. Do not adjust your medication or introduce supplements or other medications without seeking their advice first.

Sources:

Brizendine, Louann, M.D., (2006). The Female Brain. New York, New York: Broadway Books.

Lundin, Mia, Nurse Practitioner, ( 2009). The Female Brain Gone Insane: An Emergency Guide for Women Who Feel Like They Are Falling Apart. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc.

"My Wife is in Perimenopause and Wants a Divorce: Now What?" November 24, 2010. Voices Yahoo.com. December 23, 2011. http://voices.yahoo.com/my-wife-perimenopause-wants-7272390.html?cat=5

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