They say age isn’t a number. But where does age matter? Your mental health — especially if you’re a woman.
The struggles you have in your 20s are probably very different from those when you’re in your 70s. Throughout your life, maintaining good mental health involves eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, developing strong coping skills and having a support system. For women at certain stages of life, a little extra support can help you get through more challenging situations.
In your 20s and 30s
This stage tends to be when women are at highest risk for anxiety and depression, due to a potent cocktail of hormonal changes, stress from societal expectations and major life moves, like college, starting a career, relationships and financial challenges. Eating disorders are also at their highest rates.
Also, during this time, women may start a family — and it’s not all easy. Rates of depression at delivery have soared, seven times higher in 2015 than in 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s latest data. And postpartum depression — sadness and anxiety that interfere with daily life and caring for a baby — affects 1 in 8 women.
Extra support:
Now is a great time to start developing a relationship with a mental health provider. Just like you might have an OB/GYN or a primary care doctor, having a trusted counselor or therapist can help you through times of high stress and depression. You can start by reaching out to your doctor for recommendations or referrals.
In your 40s and 50s
During this stage, you may still be navigating life with young children, building a career, starting a new life after divorce or facing an empty nest. Add to that perimenopause, which often begins in your late 40s and can affect sleep, cause mood swings and introduce you to the “joy” of hot flashes.
Extra support:
With significant life changes, and continuation of juggling many different hats it’s important to continue putting a priority on your mental health and reach out to a professional if needed. It’s also common for our social circles to grow smaller as we get older, but community is so vital to our mental well-being; make an effort to continue to do new things, meet people and cherish the friends you have. A mental health professional can help with coping skills.
In your 60s and 70s
You’re probably looking at retiring during this time in your life — which can be joyful but also a little scary if you’ve been highly invested in your career. Then there are the physical and mental health issues that can come with aging — such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis or dementia.
Extra support:
Health challenges and planning for this next phase of life can take a toll on your mental health. If you’re apprehensive about retirement, make a plan: Maybe you’ll continue to work part-time, volunteer, have a second “parenthood” with the grandkids or do all those things you’ve never had time to do. Exercise is important throughout your life, so continue to stay as active as you can, as that benefits both your physical and mental health. Of course, talk to your doctor if you or your family start to notice changes in your mental health.
What else you can do
As you navigate life’s ups and downs, be sure you’re taking time for self-care. That could mean taking long walks with a friend, joining a book club or Bible study, listening to a podcast, enjoying a bowl of ice cream topped with fresh fruit or time alone reading a book. Those little moments help refuel us so we can better face life’s challenges.
Most importantly, know the signs of a mental health problem. Just being sad isn’t necessarily a serious condition. But if you’re experiencing changes in your thoughts, behaviors or mood that are persistent — lasting two weeks or more — and they are interfering with your ability to do daily activities or harming your relationships, find help.
Your mental health matters, and you don’t have to face challenges alone. At Willowbrooke at Tanner, our compassionate psychiatric team specializes in addressing mental health issues unique to women. Whether you're navigating pregnancy or postpartum depression, dealing with anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges or seeking support for self-care, we’re here to help.
Take that first step toward better mental health. Call us now at 770-812-3266 to establish care with a member of our Willowbrooke Women's Services team and create a personalized plan to support your unique needs. For more information visit www.WillowbrookeAtTanner.org.