Hormones form the biochemical basis of major depression.
Estrogen, a female hormone produced in the ovaries, plays a
pivotal role in your brain in that it increases the amount
of mood-regulating neurotransmiiters, whose malfunction
often triggers depression in an individual.
Neurotransmission is the process by which brain chemical
impulses are transmitted from one brain cell (neuron) to
another. Scientists have identified norepinephrine,
serotonin, and acetylcholine as some of the essential brain
chemicals requisite for brain health. Mood disorder,
including depression and manic depression (also known as
bipolar depression), result from an imbalance or deficiency
of transmitters to make the right connection between the
brain cells. Estrogen increases the ability of neurons for
optimum connection or communication within the brain.
In addition, estrogen plays a critical role in the proper
flow of blood to different parts of the brain, thereby
instrumental in optimizing emotion, memory, and cognitive
functions.
Research scientists have conducted various studies, which
have indicated the impact of estrogen on the brain with
respect to memory function and postmenopausal women.
Prior to the actual onset of menopause, estrogen level in
women significantly decreases as much as 50 to 75 percent.
This may explain why women not only experience depression
twice as much as men do but also are two times more likely
to be hospitalized in their lifetimes. This discrepancy has
little to do with the fact that women seek psychiatric help
more frequently than men do, or the fact that women are
more stressed out than men are.
If hormones have everything to do with depression, then
women's depressive episodes are hormonal.
According to studies, approximately 35 percent of women
have mild premenstrual physical and depressive symptoms due
to the rapid decline in estrogen level.
Following pregnancy, women also experience a drastic
decline in estrogen level. Consequently, 50 to 70 percent
women experience postpartum depression within the first 10
days following delivery, and approximately 10 percent may
suffer a major depression. According to a study, more than
60 percent with postpartum depression may develop
depression later in life.
During menopause and perimenopause, women's dramatic
decline in estrogen level makes them more vulnerable to
extreme mood swings. Many studies attest to the close link
between estrogen and mood swings.
Hormonal fluctuations in both women and men account for
their aberrations in their thinking, behavior, moods, and
their sexuality, expressed in the symptoms of depression.
It should be noted that decline in testosterone (male
hormone) may also result in male aggressive behavior
The crucial question is: Given its close connection with
depression, is estrogen an antidepressant?
An NIH (National Institutes of Health) study on the role of
estrogen as an antidepressant indicated that women patients
receiving high-dose estrogen experienced significant
improvement in their symptoms of depression. In addition,
their improvement sustained beyond the study period.
Scientists have to believe that estrogen and other hormones
may benefit those patients with treatment-resistant
depression. The rational is based on the assumption that
antidepressants may only boost the "level" of
neurotransmitters but without enhancing the "quality" of
those transmitters, and therefore may not be efficacious in
treating some depression, especially those with low
estrogen and testosterone levels.
Studies have also indicated that patients suffering from
anxiety, another mood-related disorder attributed to peri-
and postmenopausal depression. Symptoms of anxiety, such as
dry mouth, waking up in the middle of the night short of
breath, excessive sweating, and nausea, can be relieved
with estrogen treatment.
Other hormones that may play havoc with depression are
testosterone and the thyroid hormone. Testosterone, which
is responsible for energy and sexual function in women as
well, has an antidepressant effect on the brain. Therefore,
a decline in testosterone may precipitate depressive
episodes. Disorder in the thyroid hormone may produce
paranoid delusions in patients suffering from bipolar
depression.
Of course, mental illness is a complex disease that
involves many factors other than just the hormones. The
disorder can be due to genetic factors making one
susceptible to depression, the unhealthy or wayward
lifestyle, the nutrition deficiency, the environmental
toxins, and distorted thinking, among others. It is
important to identify the cause or causes, and design
proper treatment for this debilitating disorder affecting
more than 15 American adults.
----------------------------------------------------
Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing synopses of medical
research for scientists. His publications include "NO
MIRACLE CURES" a book on healing and wellness. He has also
created several websites, including "Longevity For You" ,
"A Healthy Lifestyle Is The Way Of Zen" and "Chinese
Natural Healing For Health Rejuvenation."
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.zenhealthylifestyle.com
http://www.chinesenaturalhealing.com
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