Anxiety and depression during pre and post menopausal period

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate anxiety and depression during pre, and post menopausal period. The sample of the study was comprised of 150 (50 pre menopause, 50 during menopause and 50 post menopause) period. They were incidentally selected from different areas of Dhaka city. Anxiety was measured by the Bangla version of the Anxiety scale developed by Deeba & Begum (2004), and the Depression scale was developed by Uddin & Rhaman (2005). Analysis of Variance indicated anxiety and depression scores varied significantly (p<.01) between the three periods (pre, during and post menopause periods). Analysis of variance also indicated that anxiety and depression scores varied significantly (p<.01) according to different levels of education. “t” test indicated that anxiety and depression scores varied significantly(p<.01) with the occupation of respondents. The result also showed that physical symptoms like joint pain, heart disease, gyaenocological problems, and diabetics were greater in post menopause period than in other periods. From the findings of the present study, it is suggested that education and awareness, counseling and psycho-education can be given to reduce these symptoms and help them to make better adjustment with the physical and psychological changes. Counseling can help the women prepare themselves pre, during and post menopause periods.