How to Treat Mid-Life Depression in Women

Depression can occur at any time in a person's life, but the risk can increase at mid-life because of certain triggers. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health identified factors like changes in family and health, taking care of older relatives, relationship issues, job loss or other employment issues and losses through death or divorce. Fortunately, mid-life depression in women can usually be successfully treated.

Instructions

• 1

  See your doctor or a counselor to discuss your mid-life depression. A professional can help you decide whether you need medication or whether counseling and lifestyles changes will be enough. This determination will be made based on how the depression is affecting your functioning and whether physical causes such as a hormonal imbalance are contributing. Researchers from the University of Melbourne found that low estrogen levels can trigger depression in menopausal women.

• 2

  Create a treatment plan based on the professional's recommendations. If this includes antidepressants or hormone replacements, take the medication as prescribed. If it includes counseling, keep every appointment and take an active role in the sessions. If lifestyle changes are recommended, incorporate them into your daily routine. Depression can be paralyzing, so it is essential to take an active approach and follow through with your treatment plan.

• 3

  Get enough sleep. You won't be able to fight your depression effectively if you are exhausted. Fatigue makes you more vulnerable to stress and less able to treat the problem. Michele Howe of Life Tools for Women recommends scheduling your activities, including sleep, and making it a priority to get plenty of rest.

• 4

  Exercise regularly. The Mayo Clinic says that exercise has been proven to help fight depression. It can also help older women stay healthy and improve health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes. If you have trouble scheduling formal exercise sessions, the Mayo Clinic recommends increasing activity around the house and yard.

• 5

  Check your progress regularly. If you are working with a doctor or counselor, he can help you create goals and measure your progress. Otherwise you can create your own goals and do a personal check-in each week to see if your functioning has improved. If you are not making progress, your treatment plan will need to be altered.