Menopause and depression

My wife who went into menopause about a few months ago has been behaving strangely of late. The doctor whom we saw said she was depressed. My question is whether menopause can cause depression.

Mathew (by SMS)

Menopause may not cause depression per se. It is the various psychological changes that some women go through plus the psychological aspects that menopause brings that creates the appearance of depression. Symptoms such as lack of sleep, lack of focus, forgetfulness and anxiety are similar traits of depression.

In addition, features such as weight gain and mood swings are other traits of menopause that could be likened to depression.

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