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DEPRESSION. IT’S NOT IN YOUR HEAD, IT’S IN YOUR HORMONES

Depression, it's in your hormones

DEPRESSED? WHO’S DEPRESSED?

Let’s see…Covid-19, the economy, isolation, protests, no concerts, no big gatherings, no real fun and to make it all worse…no hugs. Ugh. Who wouldn’t be depressed. Anxious. Sad. Even hopeless. People reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety and fear are well above historical norms. Understandable; it’s called life.  But as things begin to open up, so do peoples’ outlooks. There are things to look forward to. Beyond banana bread, crazy Tik Tok challenges and Zoom…well… Zoom everything. The depression people are feeling now, is temporary for most. It will, pass.

BUCK UP. SUCK IT UP. SNAP OUT OF IT. GET OVER IT.

More than just a bout of the blues, real depression isn’t something that is going to go away on its own. No matter how much banana bread you make. No matter how sunny things may look. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), who you have probably been counting on for a lot of information lately, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression. It’s a cruel disease that you can never explain to people who have never visited the dark holes depressed people often find themselves sliding into. This depression isn’t about what’s going on around you, it’s what’s going on inside you. And it’s not going anywhere without getting help.

DEPRESSION; WHEN THE SKY FEELS LIKE IT’S FALLING YOUR HORMONES CAN’T BE FAR BEHIND

When you’re depressed, you’re not just in the dumps, you feel like you’re in the dumpster. Depression affects how people sleep, eat, and see the world. People who are depressed may not be able to concentrate or even face simple prospects of daily life, such as getting up in the morning and dressing themselves. Depression can cause irritability, anger and anxiety. Trouble focusing, thinking clearly or making decisions. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Lack of energy and loss of interest in anything pleasurable. Sex included. You can’t wish this stuff away. But it’s not you. Unbalanced hormones can dampen anyone’s mood.

THE MOOD MODULATORS

Hormones effect every cell and organ in our bodies. If they are not in balance, you’re not in balance.

There are multiple hormones that can cause depression if not at the right levels. The sex hormones, for example. Both men and women have estrogen and testosterone. Too much of one or too little the other can lead to a whole gamut of mental health symptoms. Both under-active and overactive thyroid glands can also cause serious symptoms of depression. Imbalances in the body’s stress hormones can cause Monday blues and grey skies to permanently color your entire life lifeless and just plain lousy.

HOW MEDS CAN MAKE IT WORSE

Worse? What could be worse than suffering from unending emotional agony? True depression isn’t always that simple to diagnose. A primary care doctor might suggest seeing a psychiatrist. That psychiatrist might take a shot at a diagnosis and start you on a regime of meds roulette. According to a government study, antidepressants are the most prescribed drugs in the country. And there are tons of them. And they’re often tricky in treating depression. Not to mention the wide range of unpleasant side effects including nausea, weight gain, blurred vision, sexual problems, fatigue and drowsiness. This is not to say people have serious conditions which can be seriously helped by a good psychiatrist and antidepressants. But if the problem is a hormone imbalance, you need a precise diagnosis. Profoundly bi-polar could actually be profoundly hormonal.

MAKE YOU AND YOUR HORMONES HAPPY

Let’s start at the beginning; before you take meds, take a simple test to find out if it your seriously fierce funk could be your hormones. The place to do that, is Denver Hormone Health.  At DHH, they are unmatched in their expertise and years of experience successfully treating patients for all types of health issues. Depression included. The advanced tests they take at DHH will tell them your exact hormone levels, which allows them to create a unique treatment plan to get them back where they need to be to help you feel your best. Call Denver Hormone Health for any appointment now. Things will start looking up faster than you could ever imagine.