Signs of Depression in Women Over 50

How am I going to write this when I’m in a depression right now? But here goes. What are the signs and symptoms of depression in especially women over 50? I’ll delve into that shortly. But first of all, depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Consequently, research suggests that the cause of depression is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

All people can feel depressed, but the disorder is especially common among women due to unique biological, hormonal, and social experiences. Despite what people think, depression is not brought on by anything a woman has or has not done, and it is not something she can “snap out” of. Most women need treatment to feel better.

Loneliness and depression can settle in when women get older. If you have children and they’re grown, chances are they have moved out on they’re own. Also, you might have lost your significant other as the years pass on. This can lead you to loneliness and depression if you let it. Therefore, visit with friends and family as much as you can to combat this. Being by yourself and ruminating only makes the depression worse and hard to get rid of.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Discussing this was imminent. It’s the number one go to when talking about emotions in older women. One of the more telltale signs of depression in women over 50 is having you emotions all over the place. Most of the time, when people are talking about menopause or going through “the change,” they’re actually referring to perimenopause. Obviously, during this phase, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular — longer, shorter, heavier, lighter, infrequent or closer together.

The same hormones that control your menstrual cycle also influence serotonin, a brain chemical that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. When hormone levels drop, serotonin levels also fall, which contributes to increased irritability, anxiety and sadness.

Falling estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger mood swings that make you less able to cope with things you’d normally let roll off your back. Although, for some, these hormonal dips can set off a depressive episode, especially for those who’ve gone through major depression in the past.

Symptoms of Depression in 50+ Women

There are many signs of depression of women over 50. How do you know if you or your loved one may have depression? Does depression look different as you age? Emphatically, depression in older adults may be difficult to recognize because older people may have different symptoms than younger people. For some older adults with depression, sadness is not their main symptom. Equally, they could instead be feeling more of a numbness or a lack of interest in activities. They may not be as willing to talk about their feelings.

In sum, the following is a list of common symptoms. Still, because people experience depression differently, there may be symptoms that are not on this list.

Firstly, persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness, or having trouble sitting still
Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, including sex
Additionally, decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, waking up too early in the morning, or oversleeping
Eating more or less than usual, usually with unplanned weight gain or loss
Finally, thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

If you have several of these signs and symptoms and they last for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor. Because These could be signs of depression or another health condition. Don’t ignore the warning signs. If left untreated, serious depression may lead to death by suicide.

If you are a health care provider of an older person, ask how they are feeling during their visits. Significantly, research has shown that intervening during primary care visits is highly effective in reducing suicide later in life. If you are a family member or friend, watch for clues. Listen carefully if someone of any age says they feel depressed, sad, or empty for long periods of time. In reality, that person may really be asking for help. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help. It can help save lives.

I’m Depressed

There have been studies done on the signs of depression of women over 50. In 2022, a study conducted by Mental Health Research Canada (pdf) found that those aged 50-54 were experiencing depression at the highest rate in Canada—19%—while those ages 55-60 reported a lower level of depression—7%. In short, ignoring cognitive implications of depression should not happen, even in your 50s. While you may associate cognitive decline with people in their 70s and 80s, one study found that the link between depression and cognitive symptoms peaks during middle age (45-54 years).

Types of Depression

The signs of depression of women over 50 may help decide what type of depression you might have. There are different types of depression. Hence, the symptoms for each can range from relatively minor through to severe.

Major depression

Major depression, or major depressive disorder is the technical term used by health professionals and researchers to describe the most common type of depression. In like fashion, other terms sometimes used include unipolar depression or clinical depression.

To describe depression, it can be mild, moderate or severe.

Melancholia

In brief, melancholia is an older term for depression and is still sometimes used to describe a more severe form of depression with a strong biological basis. This is where many of the physical symptoms of depression are particularly evident. For example, one of the major changes is that the person can be observed to move more slowly, or to be experiencing significant changes to their sleep pattern and appetite.

Subsequently, a person with melancholia is also more likely to have a depressed mood that is characterised by complete loss of pleasure in everything or almost everything.

Dysthymia

The symptoms of dysthymia (sometimes called Persistent Depressive Disorder) are similar to those of major depression, but are less severe and more persistent. Given that, a person has to have this milder depression for more than two years to be diagnosed with dysthymia.

Psychotic depression

Sometimes, people with a depressive condition can lose touch with reality. Therefore, this can involve hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) or delusions (false beliefs that are not shared by others). Such as believing they are bad or evil, or that they are being watched or followed or that everyone is against them. This is known as psychotic depression.

Antenatal and postnatal depression

Women are at an increased risk of depression during pregnancy (known as the antenatal or prenatal period) and in the year following childbirth (known as the postnatal period). Nonetheless, this time frame (the period covered by pregnancy and the first year after the baby’s birth) may also be referred to as the perinatal period.

Fighting Depression

Unfortunately, all too many depressed older adults fail to recognize the signs of depression in women over 50, or they don’t take the steps to get the help they need. Thus, overlooking the reasons why older people depression includes:

Firstly, you may assume you have good reason to be down or that depression is just part of aging.
You may be isolated—which in itself can lead to depression—with few around to notice your distress.
You may not realize that your physical complaints are signs of depression.
Finally, you may be reluctant to talk about your feelings or ask for help.

It’s important to realize that depression isn’t an inevitable part of getting older—nor is it a sign of weakness or a character flaw. Given these points, it can happen to anyone, at any age, no matter your background or your previous accomplishments in life. While life’s changes as you age—such as retirement, the death of loved ones, declining health—can sometimes trigger depression, they don’t have to keep you down. Meanwhile, no matter what challenges you face as you age, there are steps you can take to feel happy and hopeful once again and enjoy your golden years.

Best Antidepressant for Women over 50

 Rexulti for Depression

There are many antidepressants that can combat the signs of depression of women over 50. In general, REXULTI is a prescription medicine used: along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. to treat agitation that may happen with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. REXULTI may cause serious side effects, including:

Firstly, cerebrovascular problems, including stroke, in older people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious condition that can lead to death. Overall, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS: high fever; changes in your pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing; stiff muscles; confusion; increased sweating.
Finally, uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). REXULTI may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. For the most part, tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking REXULTI. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking REXULTI.

What are the most commonly prescribed SSRIs?

Hence, there are several FDA-approved SSRIs available. The top five most prescribed are:

Zoloft (sertraline)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Celexa (citalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)

Coping with Depression

Caring for yourself
Not caring for yourself is one of the signs of depression in women over 50. In essense, use the following tips to be a successful partner in your own care:

Get treatment

Don’t let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Many effective treatments exist. On the positive side, treatment can provide relief by identifying what’s wrong and reducing symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. Remember, mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Stay in touch

However, if you have a mental illness, you may be reluctant to tell anyone about it or talk about it with others. Avoidance is also common when we become more distressed. In this situation, your family, friends, clergy or members of your community can only offer you support if they know about your struggles. Therefore, reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.

Create a daily schedule

Keep a normal routine. Most important, include meals and snacks, and when you’ll go to bed and wake up to ensure adequate sleep. Set time aside to do activities you enjoy. Also, include time to spend with other healthy people.

Add exercise to your life

Regular exercise can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. It also can lessen irritability, add energy, and improve your sleep and eating habits. Subsequently, check with your healthcare team before beginning an exercise program.

Stick with your medications and therapy appointments

The point at which people begin to feel improvements in mood and other symptoms varies, but it may take up to 4 to 8 weeks to feel a noticeable difference. It is important to give each medication enough time to build up for optimal benefit. You may experience uncomfortable side effects, especially when you first start taking medications. If the side effects are hard to tolerate, talk to your healthcare provider right away. Also, be consistent with going to therapy appointments. Together with your therapist, you can work on learning, practicing and modifying coping skills to help you feel better.

Depression Questionnaire

3 Minute Depression Test
If you have signs of depression and are a women over 50, this quiz could help you. At any rate, this depression quiz is based on the Depression Screening Test developed by Ivan K. Goldberg, MD, the founder of Psycom who was also a renowned psychiatrist.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you know the signs of depressed women over 50 and now you can do something about it! At this point, overcoming depression involves finding new things you enjoy, learning to adapt to change, staying physically and socially active. Also, feeling connected to your community and loved ones.

Of course, when you have depression, taking action and putting self-help steps into action can be hard. Therefore, sometimes, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better can seem overwhelming. But small steps can make a big difference to how you feel. Taking a short walk, for example, is something you can do right now—and it can boost your mood for the next two hours. Besides, by taking small steps day by day, your depression symptoms will ease and you’ll find yourself feeling more energetic and hopeful again.

If you’re a 50+ female and you have thoughts like “I think I’m depressed ” or “I might be dealing with depression”, please talk to your doctor. Believe me, you don’t want to live your life through the eyes of depression. At length, you could have so much more than feelings of despair! So, get up off of your but and do something about it. You’re not 6 feet under yet (still a long way from that). Until next time…

Articles About Depression in 50+Women

-Slideshow: Sneaky Depression Triggers as You Age

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-depression-triggers-and-aging

-Midlife Depression in Women

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/counseling-keys/202205/midlife-depression-in-women

-SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20citalopram%20appears%20to%20be,side%20effects%20in%20clinical%20trials.

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice in the Vastness of Emotions

“Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing.” —Katherine Mansfield (April 1941)

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