Are Irrational Thoughts Signs of Menopause?
The symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause vary, due to changes in hormone levels. Depression and irrational thoughts are serious psychological symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause and warrant a trip to your physician.
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Menopause
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Decreased hormone production in the ovaries and cessation of a menstrual cycle are clinical signs for menopause. Menopause typically occurs in women aged 41 to 59; however, menopause can occur at any age by oophorectomy (surgery to remove ovaries) or chemotherapy.
Peri-Menopause
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Peri-menopause are the phases before and after menopause, identified by hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalance can cause psychological, metabolic and physical changes such as mood swings, depression, anxiety, weight gain, osteoporosis, hot flashes and reduced libido.
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Depression
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Pessimism, feelings of sadness and despondency signify the mental state of depression. Depression as a clinical disorder lasts longer than 2 weeks and affects how a person functions. Treatment includes medications, counseling and support groups.
Delusions
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Delusions include irrational thoughts and fears, which are a category of depression. Hormone imbalance and physical and emotional stress can cause depression. In peri-menopause and menopause, depression (including delusions) are severe symptoms that require help from your physician for counseling and/or medication.
Delusions and Menopause
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Delusions as a form of depression may be more transient than 2 weeks, but it may occur regularly during peri-menopause. A pattern of depression can include delusions, mood or behavior shifts and difficulty concentrating, which cumulatively can last longer than 2 weeks. This pattern as clinical depression may signify peri-menopause.
Tests and Treatment
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According to the May 6, 2009, article in "Newsweek," a diagnostic test shows promise to predict menopausal onset by levels of an ovarian hormone. For menopause, treatment for depression may be prescribed as an adjunct to hormone therapy.
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