Hello, im abit embarrassed but maybe someone can help?

[Bella001]

Hello

Im pretty embarrassed and nervous to be asking but im hoping some of you lovely ladies might be willing to share abit of advice in regards to some womens health issues and how it affects/affected your mental health?

Im feeling rather overwhelmed and alone at the moment, so im hoping you guys will have some patience with me while i try to explain what is happening. i was going to write the post now but i cant really explain it properly, in the meantime it would be nice to meet some of you...

[perfectstorms]

Hi there!

No need to feel embarrassed, lots of people have women's health issues and it is completely normal. You're not alone xxx. Feel free to try and explain it as best as you can and I will try to help. xxxx

[Guest8901]

Hi Bella and welcome to the BB Forums.

I've been a member here, and posting since December. I joined to seek advice and support from others who experience similar MH issues as myself. I've been diagnosed with PTSD and associated anxiety and depression.

These forums are anonymous and secure. Posts are moderated to ensure that safety, security and anonymity for all members continues to be upheld. Nobody is judged and I have found fellow members to be very informative and supportive.

I hope that knowing all that will help you to feel more at ease and less embarrassed when discussing any issues which bother you.

You can be as open as you feel comfortable in being. Just make sure you do not disclose any information that people reading may be able to identify you through.

Please feel free to post any questions you have. Some basic information about you would also be helpful for those wanting to respond and try to help you.

Amanda

[Bella001]

Hello perfectstorms

Thank you for reading and commenting and also the offer to help too. It is nice to meet you.

Hello Amanda

Thank you for the welcome and for explainging things to me and for your support as well. It is nice to meet you too.

Ok, im not really sure what to write about me.. Im a female in my early 20s and i also suffer from anxiety, depression and ptsd as well.

The question i would like to ask, is does other women find they have more troubles with their mental health when their hormones and cycle have gone a little crazy?

I know we all have our ups and downs but lately ive been feeling extra emotional,irritable, jittery, abit more fragile, really low in moods and lacking quite a lot of energy.i manage my mental health the best i can but when the hormones and internal things start going out of sync it seems my mental health goes with it too.


I am a few months late with no chance at all of being pregnant but this isnt the first time im late. My cycles have been all over the place for a while now but there doesnt seem to be a medical cause for it.

if i just miss one month i seem to be ok but after a few extra weeks and onwards i find myself start to slip alot more. im not sure if maybe these incidences are related or maybe those symptoms are letting me know that maybe im not going as well as i think i am...

i wonder what others' thoughts are and if someone could maybe offer me some advice?

[Guest8901]

Hi Bella, and thanks for getting back to us. A brief answer is .. yes, our hormones can definitely play a part in our mental state.

Scientific research proves that our genetics and current physical health both play a role in the development of anxiety. Its known that low levels of serotonin can lead to anxiety and depression, which is the reason why medications which improve the flow of serotonin are prescribed for anxiety.

Hormones also play a significant role in anxiety. When anxiety is high, despite trying everything, it may be due to a hormonal imbalance. Anxiety creates stress, and stress has a powerful effect on many hormones within our body.

There is a strong link between anxiety and our hormones. But, sometimes it isnt easy to know the exact cause of our anxiety. Hormonal imbalance may contribute to anxiety, but anxiety may also have caused any hormonal imbalance. And for some individuals, it could be totally unrelated. We're all different.

Cortisol (stress hormone) - Research indicates that excess stress hormone can cause both anxiety and depression. Anything that increases production of cortisol (stress) or decreases cortisol reduction (lack of exercise) can cause anxiety.

Thyroid Hormone - Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) causes your body to go into overdrive and increases your body's metabolism, causing hyperventilation and an increased heart rate. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when you don't have enough thyroid hormone and this appears to contribute to anxiety due to the way an underproduction of the thyroid hormone affects the brain.

Sex Hormones (Estrogen and Testosterone) - Studies confirm that anxiety often begins during periods of intense hormonal change, such as during pregnancy and during menopause, but also at certain times within our monthly cycle. This all leads researchers to determine that the two hormones may contribute to anxiety.

Essentially nearly any type of hormonal dysfunction can contribute to anxiety, because the body responds to poorly functioning hormones through stress.

While some cases of anxiety may be caused almost exclusively by hormones, some cases a combination of hormones and previous mental health problems, and sometimes it has nothing whatever to do with hormones.

The good thing to know is that, whatever the cause of your anxiety, it can be treated. Our mind is incredibly powerful, and we can learn to control anxiety.

Hope this is useful to you Bella. Will write more later.

Amanda

[Bella001]

Hello Amanda

That is a very detailed response! Thank you very much, i agree that hormones of all kinds can affect us in different ways. So perhaps during different parts of the cycle the intense emotions we as women experience could be contributing to my increased moods, and anxieties and then as it passess it becomes a little more controllable..

I do find that in certain parts of my cycle, i do feel abit strange, kinda like my sex drive increases or something. its rather embarassing and brings on lots of different emotions including guilttoo. Sorry thats abit to much information!

My anxieties and worries became abit more prominent and overwhelming once i hit puberty so i guess those hormonal changes and the flooding emotions make more sense now too.

Thank you again

[Guest8901]

No problems Bella, hope the information was useful.

I note that you said you also suffer from PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Have you been officially diagnosed and have you received any support through a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist or do you take any medication for it?

The reason I ask is that you may benefit through the support of a psychologist, especially for your PTSD. There are a number of successful therapies which can help you to deal with the many side effects of PTSD. Its pretty hard living with it day in, day out, over a long period of time. And since you are only young, and a long life ahead of you, my hope for you is that your life is as good as possible.

If you wish to talk about your ptsd and anxiety here, then please do so. I am happy to discuss this with you any time, and I know there are many other members here who would be too.

I did notice that you replied on a thread of Birdy's, which is good. Its nice to see you feeling your way around the many threads within the different forums here. I hope you feel comfortable and welcome here. And of course you can contribute to any existing thread that interests you. Your input will always be appreciated.

Take care Bella.

Amanda

[Bella001]

Hi Amanda

Yes that post was quite helpful, Thank you

I have second thread where im talking abit more about my anxiety, perhaps it would be better to talk more there so that others can comment on hormones on this one? i think i read that im only supppose to have one thread?

I did have a psychologist but my 10 sessions have just run out but i can get some more early next yr. ill keep practicing what ive learnt though and i know that the helplines are there and now ive made some friends here too. having mental health though is extremely tough especially when the side effects like nightmares, and flashbacks come around.

Thank you again!

[Guest8901]

Okay Bella, I didnt realise you had another thread going. I will go looking for you there.

Yes we are meant to have only one personal support thread at any one time. Mainly so all your story is in one place so other members are better able to support you.

The side effects from ptsd, including nightmares and flashbacks, are the absolute pits aren'tt they? I too am in your situation of having used up all my 10 medicare funded psych sessions. Although I have an extra 5 I can use through a GP care plan. A higher gap to pay, but it all helps. I rely heavily on my psych lately.

Yes there are several good help lines, so dont hesitate to call them if you need to. And I'm really pleased to hear you have made some friends here. I have too. 😀

Enjoy the rest of your weekend Bella.

Amanda 💜

[Bella001]

Hello Amanda my other thread is called 'Hello Im new here'

is it ok if i write my response to you onto that thread ( and make that my personal thread) and then leave this thread open for discussions surrounding hormones and mental health?

I hope its ok if i call you one my new friends too, i quite enjoy talking to you 🙂