Why Does My Period Make Me So Depressed

Why Is School Giving Me Or My Teenager Anxiety

Its common for kids of all ages to experience school-related stress. But where does it come from? Academic, social, and scheduling factors play a major role, as well as hidden environmental stressors. Below are some of the reasons that can make students anxious:

Friends:

While most students consider social interaction their favorite part of the school, it can also be a great source of stress. Concerns about not having enough of them or not being in the same class as they can cause anxiety even in the most confident kids.

Bullies:

The good news is that the days of teachers turning a blind eye are long gone, and many schools actually feature anti-bullying programs and policies. Although bullying still happens at many schools, help is more accessible nowadays.

The bad news is that bullying has gone high-tech, and some teenagers use the Internet to bully their counterparts. This way, they dont have to face their targets. On top of that, many parents are unaware of the situation, and their children are too overwhelmed to deal with it.

Overscheduling:

Hectic school and activity schedules can make students anxious and depressed. In an effort to provide the best possible developmental experiences, many parents enroll their children in too many extra-curricular activities. Some other times, the school workload and the exam-writing schedules are just too much.

Lack of Family Time:

Not Enough Sleep:

Can You Prevent Or Cure Pms Depression

Not every woman suffers from PMS Depression, but those that do suffer miserably. What causes this kind of depression before, during and sometimes post menstrual cycle? With so many women suffering from this what is the medical community doing and are there any home remedies that work without using drugs? Is the woman suffering from true depression or pms? How can you know if it is pms rather than freestanding depression? Lets look at these issues.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pmdd

PMDD is a mix of severe physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms that can make daily life very difficult for those who suffer from it.

Typically, PMDD symptoms show up in the second half of the menstrual cycle – around 7 to 10 days before the period, and continue up till menstruation. PMDD has been included as a depressive disorder not otherwise specified by the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, or DSM.

According to DSM-V manual, a person suffering from PMDD will show at least five of the following key symptoms:

• frequent and extreme mood swings feeling suddenly sad or tearful or increased sensitivity to rejection
• increased irritability, anger or relationship conflicts
• severe anxiety, tension, feelings of being constantly on edge
• difficulty in concentration
• lethargy, feeling often and easily tired
• excessive sleepiness or insomnia
• feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• other physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, a sensation of bloating, weight gain.

Since PMDD is tied to fluctuations in reproductive hormone levels, the above symptoms should be absent for at least a week after periods for PMDD to be diagnosed. If the above symptoms are not cyclical and do not seem to clear up at any time, it may point to another form of underlying depressive disorder.

Before diagnosis, it is also important to make sure that these symptoms are not the result of taking medication or oral contraceptives.

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‘my Periods Made Me Suicidal So I Had A Hysterectomy At 28’

For a couple of weeks every month, Lucie seemed to become a different person – one suffering from countless mental and physical problems – and she couldn’t understand why. She spent years looking for a doctor who could provide an answer, and it took a hysterectomy at the age of 28 to cure her.

“I would know that things would change before I even opened my eyes in the morning. It was just like this weight had been put on me,” says Lucie. “I did go to the doctor at one point and tell them that I thought I was possessed.”

Before puberty hit, Lucie had been a calm, happy, carefree child. But from the age of 13 she started to suffer from severe depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

She also began to self-harm, and experienced extreme mood swings. So at 14, she was pulled out of her mainstream school and sent to live in an adolescent mental health unit.

“I had a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder , and they mentioned bipolar quite a lot,” she recalls.

But none of these seemed to fit the cyclical nature of her symptoms.

Things changed dramatically when she became pregnant at 16 with her son, Toby.

“Within a few months of being pregnant I left the hospital. My symptoms just seemed to disappear. I was happy. I felt really good. I felt mentally really, really well, which was a surprise.”

This lasted throughout her pregnancy and her time breastfeeding – but when her periods came back, so did her symptoms.

What To Do What To Do

Ive posted another entry about how creatives heal from walking depression, and here are the highlights:

• Rest.
• Develop a meaning practice.
• Change your life.

These steps are simple to say, not easy to do, so make sure you get as much support as you can.

Important: If you are in dire straits, please contact your doctor or visit the International Suicide Prevention Wiki to find a hotline near you.

Read Also: What Is The Meaning Of Seasonal Depression

Make Bedtime A Priority

Speaking of sleep, most of us will experience mood symptoms if were skimping on this. At night, cortisol is meant to decline while melatonin rises. As I explain in Beyond the Pill, safeguarding your circadian rhythm is incredibly powerful for creating balanced hormones.

Some women find that anxiety can get in the way of their sleep. If this is true for you, consider these steps:

• Avoid electronics one hour before bed
• Wear blue light blocking glasses at least 2 hours before bed
• Engage in relaxation practices like meditation, stretching, reading, or deep breathing before bed
• Get in bed at least 15 minutes before you plan to go to sleep
• Sleep in a cool, dark room
• Consider supplements to support your sleep, like Sweet Dreams, which also contains melatonin

Tip : Challenge Negative Thinking

Depression puts a negative spin on everything, including the way you see yourself and your expectations for the future. When these types of thoughts overwhelm you, its important to remember that this is a symptom of your depression and these irrational, pessimistic attitudesknown as cognitive distortionsarent realistic.

Women also tend to ruminate when were depressed, perhaps spending hours trying to figure out why were feeling this way. However, rumination can maintain depression or even make it worse. You cant break out of this pessimistic mind frame by just telling yourself to think positive. Often, its part of a lifelong pattern of thinking thats become so automatic youre not even completely aware of it.

You can develop a more balanced way of thinking by identifying the type of negative thoughts that are contributing to your depression, and then learning to replace them with a more balanced way of thinking.

Recommended Reading: Natural Medication For Anxiety And Depression

When Should I Get Worried About My Husband Acting Moody

The quick and easy answer is usually not until you are seeing an established trend, coupled with bouts of abusive outbursts.

In most cases, when men and women have their moments and occasions of moodiness and irritability, they come and go without inflaming things to a point of chaos.

Now, if your husbands upset feelings have been going on for a good spell, then obviously that is not conducive to a happy marriage. If this is happening with regularity, then you want to take time to specifically talk to your husband about what you are seeing from your end of the relationship.

It is possible, he is knee-deep into some matter that has him all twisted up and has lost perspective as to how he is being perceived. It is best to work toward discussing his behavior without placing blame. Ask him what you can do to help him with whatever he is going through. Show him understanding. Let kindness rule.

Of course, I am assuming that the problem that is driving his annoyance and reactionary behavior is external to the relationship. If that is the case, the two of you should be able to work through this bad patch. Help him see how he is being perceived and direct him to better confront his own emotions.

What Causes Anxiety Before Periods

If youre experiencing anxiety before your period only then it is most likely due to the shifts in hormones that occur during the luteal phase of your cycle. Before the onset of you period, progesterone levels drop, which can trigger anxiety in some women. For others, stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine can contribute to anxiety and a sense of overwhelm.

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Statistics On Depression In School

Adolescent depression is on the rise, says the National Institute of Mental Health . A study in 2016 revealed that over 3 million teenagers aged 12 to 17 in the US had experienced at least one major depressive episode during the year.

In a nutshell, nearly 13% of the US population in that age group had struggled with serious depression. On top of that, over 2 million adolescents had to deal with severe impairment as a result. However, less than 20% received treatment from a health professional.

The stats are concerning, but its not only teenagers who struggle with depression and anxiety. Rates of childhood depression have also been rising in the last years. However, some people still wonder if the school can make infants depressed. The numbers, though, speak for themselves.

The research revealed that 1 out of 6 children in the US aged 2 to 8 had a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder in 2016. That being said, you should seek professional help if you have the feeling that school makes you or your child or teenager depressed.

Why Does Pmdd Happen

While the exact reason for PMDD is yet to be discovered, studies have pointed to certain potential causes.

A recent research conducted by the National Institute of Health found that the cells from women suffering from PMDD react differently to fluctuations in reproductive hormone levels than in women without PMDD.

This heightened sensitivity affects the brains chemical and neurological pathways that regulate the mood and feeling of well-being, possibly leading to depression around period.

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I Was One Of The Walking Depressed Some Of My Clients Are Too

We have many of the symptoms of clinical depression, but we are still functioning.

On the surface, people might not know anything is wrong. We keep working, keep going to school, keep looking after our families.

But were doing it all while profoundly unhappy. Depression is negatively impacting our lives and relationships and impairing our abilities.

Our depression may not be completely disabling, but its real.

Why Does Adderall Make Me Depressed

Written by Casa Palmera Staff

If you are dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , medication that calms you can be a necessity for your daily life. For many people, that medication is Adderall®. However, if you have been feeling sad or down for a prolonged period of time while taking Adderall®, you may be experiencing one of the effects of the medication: depression.

Also Check: How Can You Prevent Depression

Why Do You Get Cranky During Your Period

Few women look forward to their monthly period. But if you regularly experience mood swings, irritability, and crankiness as your period approaches, it can make you dread that time of the month even more.

If you find yourself struggling with anger, moodiness, or other symptoms that interfere with your life every time you get your period, dont wait to seek help. Our gynecology team at The Womens Center specializes in treating premenstrual syndrome and other menstrual problems.

Many women notice changes in the way they feel in the days before and during their periods, but were here to help you recognize when your symptoms could be a sign of a treatable medical condition like PMS.

Signs And Symptoms Of Depression In Women

The symptoms of depression in women vary from mild to severe and are distinguished by the impact they have on your ability to function. Common signs of depression include:

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. You feel as if nothing will ever get better and theres nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• You dont care anymore about former hobbies, pastimes, and social activities you used to enjoy.
• Appetite changes often leading to significant weight loss or weight gain.
• Changes in your sleep pattern.
• Feeling angry, agitated, restless.
• Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and drained of energy.
• Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Increase in aches and pains, including headaches, cramps, breast tenderness, or bloating.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Women also tend to experience certain depression symptoms more often than men. These include:

• Depression in the winter months due to lower levels of sunlight.
• Symptoms of atypical depression, where rather than sleeping less, eating less, and losing weight, you experience the opposite: sleeping excessively, eating more , and gaining weight.
• Strong feelings of guilt and worthlessness. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.

If youre feeling suicidal

Problems dont seem temporarythey seem overwhelming and permanent. But if you reach out for help, you will feel better.

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Could You Be Depressed

Depression alters your brainâs chemistry. You may have very little energy, even for hobbies and activities you love. Itâs also common to feel helpless and self-critical, which can cause someone with the condition to âshut down.â

• A feeling of sadness that doesnât go away
• Low appetite and weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
• Restlessness or feeling irritable
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Call 911 if youâre thinking about hurting yourself or others. Even if not, talk to a counselor or therapist if you have any of these other symptoms. Your doctor is a good resource as well. Some people also find relief from their depression with antidepressant medicine.

How To Talk To A Depressed Kid

If you believe school is making your child depressed, open up a dialogue by letting him or her know the symptoms you have noticed and why you are concerned. Then ask your kid to share what he or she is going through and offer all your support. Do not ask too many questions, as children and teens can get overwhelmed, but make it clear you are willing to help.

• Be gentle but persistent: Dont drop the ball if they shut you out on your first attempt. Even if they want to tell you that school makes them depressed, talking about mental illness can be tough for them.

• Focus on listening and dont lecture them: Resist any urge to pass judgement or criticize while your child is communicating. You will do the most good simply by proving them you love them.

• Acknowledge their feelings: Well-intended attempts to sugarcoat the situation might make them feel you dont take their emotions seriously. Just make sure they feel understood and supported.

• Trust your gut: If your kids claim nothing is wrong but school makes him or her depressed, trust your instincts. If he or she wont open up to you, consider turning into a trusted third party, such as a teacher, a counselor, or a mental health professional.

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Seek Out Social Connections

Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is a powerful chemical that is released when mother and child bond, sexual attachments are formed, and even when we experience more general social connections. Oxytocin triggers serotonin, which helps makes us feel happy.

Need a quick oxytocin fix? Pet a dog or get a twenty second bear hug in!

What You Can Do

Be honest with yourself about what might be holding you back from getting a task done. Then think of realistic ways you can get past it.

If you think youâre stuck because of a more serious health problem, talk to your doctor to make sure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

If good old-fashioned procrastination is your issue, break big projects into smaller ones you can do more easily. You can set deadlines to stay on track. Some people also find it helpful to reward themselves when they make progress.

When you catch yourself wasting time, forgive yourself rather than feeling ashamed or angry. You may be less likely to procrastinate again if you go easy on yourself.

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Why Does Depression Worsen During Periods

Depression may also be exacerbated during your period due to PMDD. PMDD is quite similar to PMS, but its symptoms are more severe. Many people who experience PMDD report extreme depression before and during their periods. According to estimates, around 30 percent of people who get periods experience PMS in their reproductive years, and anywhere from three to eight percent experience PMDD.

If you already have depression, then your symptoms may get worse before and during your period. Depression commonly occurs alongside premenstrual syndrome. About 50 percent of people who receive treatment for PMS also experience either anxiety or menstrual depression.

Menstrually Related Mood Disorders

Menstrually-related mood disorders are mood disorders associated with the menstrual cycle. Menopause and cycles of menstruation are time of intense hormonal fluctuation that can cause increased vulnerability to depression. Perimenopausal Depression, Premenstrual Syndrome , and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder are menstrually-related mood disorders treated in our program.

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