Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
For the women here, I'm curious how many had depression triggered or worsened by hysterectomy.
I had never suffered from depression until after having a hysterectomy (with ovary removal). I became suicidally depressed (and anxiety ridden) within a few months of surgery despite being on hormones. It didn't help that I discovered I'd been lied to about my condition to get my consent for surgery.
A good form and dose of hormones have helped quite a bit but I don't think I'll ever be the happy, vibrant woman I was when intact.
I understand this is a good book about the connection between women's hormones and mood -
Women's Moods, Women's Minds: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health
by Deborah Sichel and Jeanne W. Driscoll
Has anyone read it?
I had never suffered from depression until after having a hysterectomy (with ovary removal). I became suicidally depressed (and anxiety ridden) within a few months of surgery despite being on hormones. It didn't help that I discovered I'd been lied to about my condition to get my consent for surgery.
A good form and dose of hormones have helped quite a bit but I don't think I'll ever be the happy, vibrant woman I was when intact.
I understand this is a good book about the connection between women's hormones and mood -
Women's Moods, Women's Minds: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health
by Deborah Sichel and Jeanne W. Driscoll
Has anyone read it?
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My day...today...misplaced my debit card...didn't realize it until I got to the register after shopping to a full cart. Used a different debit card and pulled apart everything looking for missing debit card before I left parking lot. Got home, dropped keys. So now I have a missing debit card, missing keys. A full cartload to unload and put away. I got everything put away.Dumped purse for a...
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
Haven't read it, but I've read countless books on the subject. Hysterectomies are like "instant menopause" - whatever symptoms you may have, you get them all at once. The fact that you weren't depressed before speaks volumes! Yes, hormone crashes cause depression. I'm trying to not take hrt, so am starting to take black cohosh, an herb, an herb that mimics estrogen. Depression is such an awful thing, and I am so sorry for your late "surprise" in life. I am sure your feeling bad has to do with the surgery, but maybe you also feel bad about having organs remove that supposedly define us as women? Don't know, but I hope you have either a real therapist or at least somebody to talk to. I'm an old hand at depression - the worst thing you can do is isolate yourself. But it's such a conundrum, because it makes us feel badly and not so social. Trust me, fightin4, you ARE an "intact" human being. Depression so distorts our self image. Is there any good in it? I'm not so sure, but I do think that the kind of suffering people have when depressed makes them more empathic to the suffering of others. Best thing we can do is be outside a lot, exercise, eat well, connect with others, and try to stop that negative self talk about how bad we are.
It's an awful delusion. One thing that helps me is to try to behave "as if" I'm not depressed. And one thing I am sure of is we have to fight it.
Jeohanny & Sacred - Did you have a hyst? If so, was it the start of your depression or make it worse?
The thing about hormones is that when depression is directly connected to the monthly cycle, it becomes even more of a balance, especially when the individual notices the difference.
Example: hubby and kids run for the hills when its two days before mom turns "ugly" with voice, action. Two days after the cycle is done, life is back to normal. When mom had a hys, there was not a break. Mom finally asked for help three months later when youngest child asked the police to come home with him. Mom faints, and is treated by a medical provider who recognized the physical symptoms of "phantom cycle".
Everyone in family is doing well, and mom is adjusting to the change a little better now.
Best wishes in finding a balance that works for you!