Dive into the world of mental health during menopause, understand the roller coaster of emotions one may face, and explore the strategies for managing mood swings, anxiety, and depression to boost your emotional well-being. 

Ever felt like you were caught in a storm, with emotions lashing out at you like brutal raindrops? If you're a woman in your mid-40s to 50s, undergoing menopause, there's a good chance you've felt the sobering grip of such an emotional upheaval. 'Tis no illusion! Menopause might be a natural part of ageing, but it's not all about hot flashes and hormonal roller coasters. Some of you might also experience mood swings, anxiety, and depression[1]. Sounds a bit of a hard pill to swallow? Well, we're here to pull back the curtains on these psychological manifestations and equip you with tools to weather this storm. 

 

The Mindful Menopause: Understanding Mood Swings, Anxiety, and Depression 

Going through menopause without psychological changes is as rare as hen's teeth - it just doesn’t happen often. Let's delve into the rabbit hole to understand these a tad better: 

1. Mood Swings Imagine the emotional equivalent of a kangaroo on a trampoline - that's what mood swings can feel like. One moment you're on cloud nine, snapping at a friend the next, and then suddenly breaking down into tears. A significant dip in oestrogen levels during menopause often causes these unpredictable emotional swings[2].
2. Anxiety Human beings are no strangers to worry, fear, or dread. But persistent anxiety can feel like running up against a brick wall, over and over. Menopausal women may experience frequent panic attacks, insomnia, or even irrational fears[3].
3. Depression Don't mistake 'feeling blue' for depression. It's a serious mental condition - imagine a dark cloud blotting out your sunny mood, sapping your energy, and triggering feelings of loneliness or despair[4]. The hormonal upheavals in menopause can often set the stage for depression.

 

Fighting the Ghosts: Strategies for Managing Mental Health 

Battling mood swings, anxiety, and depression can feel like tightrope walking over an emotional volcano. But don't lose heart yet, mate! Here are some strategies that may help: 

1. Embrace self-care Put yourself first, ladies. Self-care isn’t selfish. On the contrary, it’s essential. 'Me-time' allows you to recharge, rejuvenate and help keep your emotions in check.

• Yoga and meditation 

• Satisfying hobbies 
• A balanced diet 

2. Seek professional support In times of extreme emotional turbulence, professional help can come like a knight in shining armour. Don’t dawdle to reach out to a psychologist or join a local support group[5].
3. Lifestyle changes Try populating your lifestyle with healthy habits. Practice mindfulness, pursue physical fitness, and paint your diet with rainbow colours (a diverse range of foods).

 

NAD+: A Possible Lifesaver? 

NAD+, a key molecule found in all living cells, could play a role in managing menopause-related mood swings, anxiety, and depression[6]. A preclinical study suggests that NAD+ was effective in reducing depressive behaviours in mice[7]. But before you jump the gun, remember - not all that glitters is gold. Further research is needed to validate this link in humans. 

 

Menopause could be a tumultuous phase, a journey pitted with mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Yet, it's also a time of growth, self-awareness, and transformation. It's time we reframe menopause from being a ‘taboo’ subject to an opportunity for empowerment and growth. Buckle up, ladies. Together, we can weather this storm! 

 

FAQs 

1. Are mood swings, anxiety, and depression common during menopause? Yes, changes in mood, increased anxiety and depression symptoms are prevalent and normal psychological manifestations of menopause. 

1. Can lifestyle changes help manage these emotional changes? Indeed! Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management strategies can significantly impact a woman’s menopause journey positively. 

1. Does NAD+ help in managing these symptoms during menopause? While preliminary evidence suggests a potential role, further research is required to substantiate this. 

 

References

1. Harvard Medical School, "Mood Changes at Midlife", 2011, URL: https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/mood-changes-at-midlife 

1. "Mood Swings During Menopause", Your Hormones, Endocrine Society, 2023 https://www.yourhormones.info/endocrine-conditions/menopause/. 

1. "Anxiety, Menopause and Women", Beyond Blue, 2020, URL: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 

1. Whitkin, L., "Depression and Menopause: A Closer Look at the Facts", Climacteric, 2020. 

1. Jean Hailes for Women's Health, "Emotional health at midlife", 2019, URL: https://jeanhailes.org.au/ 

1. Rajman, L., "Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules", Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2018. 

1. Cui, X, et al., "NAD+ Repletion Improves Mitochondrial and Stem Cell Function and Enhances Life Span in Mice", Science, 2016. URL: https://science.sciencemag.org/