What You Can Do to Help Yourself Whether You Are Suffering From PMS Or Major Depression
Whether you are suffering from PMS or Major Depression, there are certain things you can do to help yourself. Some of these include guided self-help, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a number of other treatments.
Persistent depressive disorder
Among adults, persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a chronic form of depression. It can last for a long time, so it is important to treat it early. Symptoms of PDD include low self-esteem, lack of motivation, fatigue, poor concentration, and insomnia. They also interfere with social relationships, making it difficult to live a normal life.
Persistent depressive disorder may be triggered by traumatic events or chronic stress. For instance, losing a loved one, losing a job, or being diagnosed with a health condition may lead to persistent depressive disorder. In addition, if you have family members who suffer from depression or anxiety, you may be at risk.
Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder often change over time. The intensity of symptoms may also change. If you notice your symptoms are getting worse, talk to your doctor. You can also improve your chances of avoiding persistent depressive disorder by eating well and avoiding alcohol.
Persistent depressive disorder is a serious illness. You should seek professional help as soon as you feel depressed. You may also need to learn how to control stress. You may need to take medication to treat your condition.
Persistent depressive disorder usually begins in childhood. It is more common in women than men. However, people of any age can experience chronic depression. This type of depression has a very poor prognosis.
Persistent depressive disorder can be treated by medication or psychotherapy. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy may involve individual, couple, or group therapy. During psychotherapy, your therapist will help you work through your symptoms and examine your thoughts and behaviors.
Perinatal depression
During pregnancy, there is a high risk for depression. Depression can cause a mother to have trouble caring for herself or her child. It can be treated with counseling and medication. If a mother has a history of depression, she is more likely to develop perinatal depression.
Perinatal depression occurs in one in seven women. There is no single cause for perinatal depression. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms include changes in sleeping patterns, fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Symptoms of depression can last up to a year. It has negative effects on pregnancy outcomes and infants’ cognitive and emotional development.
Women with perinatal depression have increased levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, thoughts of harming their child, and co-morbid anxiety. These factors are related to increased morbidity in infants born to women with perinatal depression.
Women with perinatal depression may also experience changes in their weight and sleeping patterns. They may also have difficulty caring for others. They may also have more severe feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, or hopelessness.
It is important to identify women with perinatal depression and offer treatment. Treatment may include medication, counseling, and lifestyle changes. Women should see their health care provider for a thorough assessment of their mood and well-being.
The most common treatment for perinatal depression includes psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may involve individual or group sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves changing behavior. This therapy teaches women to recognize their thought patterns and recognize the influence of life events on their thinking.
PMDD
Despite the existence of PMDD, no single underlying cause is known. It is thought that cyclical changes in sex hormones may trigger the onset of PMDD. Hence, a more thorough study is needed to clarify the relationship between PMDD and other psychiatric disorders.
During the menstrual cycle, a women’s GABAergic system is significantly altered, and studies have shown that cortical GABA levels are reduced in women with PMDD. However, the magnitude of the change in GABA levels from follicular to mid-luteal phase is not consistent across different groups.
In the past decade, there has been a steady increase in research on PMDD, especially in terms of both treatment and descriptive studies. However, no consensus has yet been reached on a specific medical screening test for PMDD.
The International Group of Experts (IGE) has proposed a new term, “PME”, to describe the phenomenon. They define PME as “the combination of at least one symptom characterized by a clear abnormality, a deficiency, or a disorder. The other medical conditions that commonly occur with PMS include depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse”.
One of the more common symptoms of PMDD is a depressed mood. Other common symptoms include irritability, weight gain, and loss of energy.
A recent study has shown that women with PMDD have lower cortical GABA levels than their healthy counterparts during the follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Interestingly, however, this does not translate to a difference in cortical GABA levels when the follicular and mid-luteal phases are compared with the later part of the cycle.
PMS
Several studies have suggested an overlap between PMS and major depression. But there is still limited information on the group of women who report both conditions. These women have a higher relative risk of major depression than women who report neither PMS nor depression.
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of women reporting both major depression and PMS. It used a sample of women aged 20 to 35 who completed the CES-D questionnaire and a daily symptom calendar. Women who reported both PMS and major depression were divided into four groups.
The groups were: women with moderate PMS, women with severe PMS, women with major depression, and women without PMS or depression. Table 1 illustrates the sociodemographic characteristics of the four groups.
The women in the groups with moderate and severe PMS were at the highest risk for major depression. Compared to women with PMS, the women with major depression were also at high risk for low self-rated health. They were also at the highest risk of living alone. They were also at the highest risk for a history of psychiatric disorders. They were also at higher risk of having work dissatisfaction. They were also at higher risk for using antidepressants.
Women with moderate PMS had more PMSS scores than women with major depression. The scores were also related to complaints of dysmenorrhea. However, this association was not statistically significant.
The study also examined the correlation between the BDI score and the total PMSS score. The scores were also related to the history of psychiatric disorders and education. They have also been associated with changes in the pain subscale and the depressive feelings subscale.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Several studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for major depression. These studies also indicate that CBT can be a cost-effective treatment for major depression.
A systematic review was conducted of cost-utility studies of CBT for depression from childhood to adulthood. Data were extracted from seven comprehensive databases and converted into US dollars. The authors concluded that CBT is effective for a wide variety of problems.
The study was conducted at Duke University and Ryerson University in Toronto. Forty-two participants were recruited from clinical and community settings in the United States. The study used an intention-to-treat analysis. No significant differences were found between the two groups.
In the study, participants were randomized to receive either CBT or RCBT. The treatment was administered in person or by phone. Participants received ten 50-minute sessions. In addition to the treatment sessions, each participant also received the usual care.
The study’s primary outcome was a change in depression severity on the clinician-rated Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). The study’s intention-to-treat analysis showed that no difference between groups existed. However, there was an interaction between religiosity and treatment. Participants who were more religious adhered more to RCBT than those who were less religious.
The study’s cost-utility model was developed using the ACE-MH model. The model is based on a disease model that represents the health outcomes of 8000 hypothetical patients. The model compares the prevalence of years lived with disability by age, gender, and sex. The model also calculates the average number of episodes of depression.
Guided self-help
Using a mobile app is not the same as receiving medical care. However, the right one can provide some of the same benefits. There are numerous mobile health applications that can help you keep track of your daily health, keep you in the know about health-related news, and provide support in an emergency. Depending on the app, it may even teach you how to recognize and respond to common depression symptoms. If you are apprehensive about using a mobile health app, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider.
A recent study tasked the good folks at Google to test the efficacy of a mobile app called “The Happiest.” This app allows you to log in and track your mood and daily activities in an effort to improve your well-being. They also provide a number of health-related games, educational tools, and resources to help you keep your head above water. They may even be able to connect you with a nearby mental health provider if you need one. The app is free to download and offers a range of features to help you track your progress.
As with any mobile app, make sure you read the terms of service before downloading. Some of these apps are not safe for minors. If you need immediate assistance, you may want to contact the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They can be reached at 800-662-HELP or through their online help center.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
