Menopause is a natural function of the female body that every woman will reach during midlife. Many women dread reaching menopause since it has an association of “becoming old”. Some feel that they are no longer of value as they are no longer childbearing. Yet, does it have to be this way? Is it possible, with knowledge and support, that women do not have to suffer all the symptoms that menopause could bring. The symptoms of menopause vary from woman to woman. They include, but are not limited to; hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness, fatigue, night sweats, sleep disturbances (waking early or insomnia), depression, irritability, and/or anxiety.
Are women predisposed to live with the expected symptoms of menopause or are the menopausal symptoms of depression, irritability, and anxiety actually a sign of other issues women are struggling with as menopause approaches. Social interaction plays a colossal role in women’s perception of psychological satisfaction during midlife and menopause.
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During this time, they may become caregivers of parents or experience their children leaving home. The changes in these roles during midlife can produce stressors, which could lead to a worsening of menopausal symptoms. On the other hand, these stressors may happen to coincide with the onset of menopause, which leads women to believe that mental distress is a symptom instead of a concurrence.
Research conducted by Dr. Teresa Lanza di Scalea, et al considers that role stress and role reward may be a factor in the psychological well-being of midlife women. In this study, three prominent symptoms of menopause were considered; low social functioning, anxiety, and depressive symptoms (Lanza di Scalea, et al., 2012). Over 2,000 women of various age (45-54), ethnicity, and education were interviewed – or self-reported - on their differing roles (married, employed, mother, caregiver), level of role reward, and severity of
‘Molly Mormon’ is the perfect woman. She never raises her voice. Her house is always sparkling clean and she excels in every church calling. She’s understanding and supportive of her husband and children. In essence, ‘Molly Mormon’ is the ideal wife, mother, helpmate, PTA leader, quilter, baker, and casserole maker; she is consistently well-groomed, cheerful and bright (Egan 1).
Talley, Amelia E., et al. "Social Roles, Basic Need Satisfaction, and Psychological Health." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 38.2 Feb. (2012): 155-73. Web. 21 Feb. 2012.
Several studies also asserted that loneliness is correlated with aging itself (Tijhuis et al, 1999; Victor et al, 2000) and that there was a gradual increase in loneliness up to the age of 90 (Holmen, 1992). This increasing trend can be attributed to interactions with other factors due to additive nature of risk factors for loneliness and social isolation (Victor et al, 2000).
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
Clinical depression is very common. Over nine million Americans are diagnosed with clinical depression at some point in their lives. Many more people suffer from clinical depression because they do not seek treatment. They may feel that depression is a personal weakness, or try to cope with their symptoms alone. On the other hand, some people are comfortable with admitting their symptoms and seeking help. Such a discrepancy may account for the differences in reported cases of depression between men and women, which indicate that more than twice the numbers of women than men are clinically depressed. According to the numbers of reported cases of depression, 25% of women and 10% of men will have one or more episodes of clinical depression during their lifetimes.
“Women are two times more likely to develop depressive symptoms then men”(Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors in Women’s Health, 1990), and women who are among the child-bearing years tend to be more at risk. However this is not to say that men are not affected by depression. It is usually, because of negative social influences, such as economic instability, and/or the inability to handle stress in their lives.
The assessment process of nursing steps to determine a diagnosis of menopause for Maureen includes collecting primary data from the the client themselves and secondary sources from family and health professionals using critical thinking skills to ask a range of questions to be able to analyse the data for developing a nursing diagnosis (Crisp & Taylor, 2009, p. 259). Menopause generally occurs in women naturally after age of 45 years, where they can undergo many physical and psychological effects (Newhart, 2013). Erikson communicates that during the middle adult developmental stage people often believe that possibilities are limited, this is true with Maureen as she relates to herself being worried to study again at a late stage (Crisp & Taylor, 2009, p. 151 ).
In America, most young women desire to become involved in careers and become mothers. This is called multiple-role lifestyle (Hoffung 210).Women are naturally inclined to take on more than one role at a time, such as a wife and a mother, wife and career woman or all thr...
... In order to examine the unique impact of body dissatisfaction on life satisfaction, a second equation was formed. Results for the model were significant, R =.68, F(8, 157) = 16.44, p .001, (Muoz & Ferguson, 2012, p. 389). This means that body dissatisfaction is a very effective predictor of low life satisfaction in women, even with all the other factors. In, Muoz & Ferguson (2012), other significant predictors of life satisfaction included depression and a perception of parental love.
Research agenda for psychological and behavioral factors in women’s health. (2012, February). Washington, DC: Women’s Programs Office, American Psychological Association.
In the counseling profession I believe that middle age produces a lot of stress. I would suggest stress-management techniques such as meditation and yoga. I would also suggest incorporating physical activity which is shown to increase endorphins in the body. For individuals having relationship difficulties I would suggest marriage counseling so they could understand the needs of one another and learn how to balance negative and positive effects in their relationship.
Late life depression affects about 7 million Americans 65 and older, but only 10 percent seek out and receive treatment (Depression in the Elderly: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments). Depression symptoms are different for every individual and sometimes the elderly can confuse mental illness to be side effects of medications they are currently taking. Medications such as steroids, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers may cause symptoms of depression. Also end of life changes such as loss of independence, being alone, and grief from a loss of a spouse are commonly linked to depression of the elderly. As individuals grow in age, neurotransmitters associated with well-being and happiness such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine begins to diminish (Elderly Depression: Depression and
Depression is defined as being in a state of sadness or unhappiness. Doctors do not know the exact causes of depression, but they believe it’s chemical changes in the brain. All ages, races, and ethnic groups can experience depression. Most people who do experience it need treatment to get better. Many famous women have also battled with depression. Actress Ashley Judd, model Paulina Porizkova, Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, singer and actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and singer and actress Demi Lovato. Demi Lovato had an eating disorder at the age of eight and started cutting at the age of eleven. She was bullied for being ‘fat’ so she used to overeat to cope, which turned into a lifelong struggle with food. In 2010 she had an altercation with one of her background dancers and decided to leave the Jonas Brothers Tour. After that, she decided to check into a mental facility. Today, she still battles with depression, her eating disorder, and alcohol abuse but is learning to get better. Depression is not overrated and should be taken seriously as a mental illness.
"The exposure of women to physical and mental problems" is one of the important consequences of disturbing the tranquility in marital life, which has different forms. Depression has been one of these problems. In some cases, the severity of depression has led to a desire for death and thinking of suicide: Behaviors of my mother-in-law is so annoying that sometimes I say I wish I did not exist." Sometimes, I feel so bad which I am so eager to die. At a period that I so shattered I am just waiting for an opportunity to destroy myself " (29 years old, with 4 years of common life). Nervous weakness was another psychological problem: "My nerves has been very weak, I'm upset with the smallest words and behavior, now that I were not suchlike in the