Depression - hormonal or not?

[rainbowinthesky]

Grew up with a father who was permanently depressed and never sought or received help.
Now I'm 36 and in the last few months have been feeling really down a lot and it seems to tie in with my periods although havent recoreded dates etc to know for sure.

I have been anaemic in the past (just waiting another bloodtest) and this makes me feel very tired and down so not sure if that's contributing as well.

My gp has suggested depression to me in the past but I didnt take it seriously. I have just finished my period and felt awful before and during it although eating a lot of chocolate seemed to help the last day or so - could this be sugar/caffeine??

ANy ideas? Is it common as you get older to have feelings of depression around mensturation?

Lots of women suffer from premenstrual mood changes, some go anger and manic while others can suffer bouts of tearfulness and depression. Anti depressants, such as citalopram, are commonly used to deal with mood fluctuations. But like with all medication there are side effects and its a case of weighing up whether u really need them and whether the benefits outweigh the side effects. Anaemia wont help either!

It feels like for the whole of this period I cant be arsed with anything and just want to sit and stare into space - not even sleep. It was the same last period.

My sister (28) is the same as you, gets really bad around her period, definitely hormonal. Our father was bipolar (apparently) so she reckons she got it from him but not as badly. She controls it through exercise as one course of Seroxat scared her off drugs. And the pill has really helped smooth things out.

Thanks. I've never noticed this until recently and terrified of turning into my father who was always manically depressed. I dont take the pill but will go to the GP to see if he can offer anything. Exercise is a good idea. TBH I have just been eating constantly this whole period.

bump for anyother opinions.

I am on Fluoxetine and when looking on the internet for more information about it I noticed that they use it in lower doses to control monthly hormones, might be worth google?

hi rainbowinthesky, i have always had depression (being referred as possibly bipolar) and find when im anaemic it makes it worse so hopefully iron tablets will improve things a little if nothing else.