Q:
Dr. Bouras,
My wife is going through menopause. She wakes several times during the night with hot flashes, so she does not get good quality sleep. She has increased anxiety and irritability at times. She seems to be more emotional, crying more easily. However, she is able to "rally" after weekend naps. She enjoys going on trips and laughs and smiles at those times. Is she likely to be suffering from depression, or just the ups and downs of hormonal changes?
Michael
A:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your question. You have certainly observed quite a "roller-coaster" of emotions in your wife! Any hormonal fluctuationscan definitely affect how one feels. Different women cope differently with menopausal changes. To be diagnosed with clinical depression, one must meet certain criteria including anhedonia (unable to enjoy things that one used to) or irritability. If your wife enjoys going on trips, then she probably does not have anhedonia, but then again, she does get irritable. You mention that your wife does well on the weekends and on trips. Is she stressed out more during the week? Have there been any changes in your lives, such as having to take care of grandchildren or elderly parents, having recently moved, or having some change in financial or occupational status? Does she or anyone in her family have any prior history of clinical depression? Your wife's symptoms appear to be severe enough for you to be concerned. It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis without a clinical evaluation and further information. Your wife should discuss her symptoms with her family doctor and/or obgyn for further assessment and treatment options for symptoms relief.
Best wishes to you and your wife.
Dr. Bouras
