No, it’s not 'just hormones'. A nurse shares the mental health signs women shouldn’t ignore.

Thanks to our brand partner, RAMSAY CLINIC ALBERT ROAD

We've all been there — that moment when someone asks, "how are you?" and you automatically respond with "I'm fine", while feeling anything but. For many women, this disconnect between our public face and private struggles has become second nature.

But what if that persistent exhaustion you've been attributing to "just being busy" is actually something more? What if those headaches, mood swings, or that overwhelming sense of guilt aren't simply part of being a woman juggling multiple roles?

According to Elizett Braga, Community Program Manager and Nurse at Ramsay Clinic Albert Road, women are masters at dismissing their own mental health symptoms, often to their detriment.

In an eye-opening conversation, Braga shared why women's mental health struggles often go unrecognised, the warning signs we're most likely to ignore and crucially — what we can actually do about it.

'We all struggle at times.'

Through her career, Braga has treated many different patients and she said she's noticed that women present quite differently to men when it comes to declining mental health.

"For individuals, the experience varies, but there are some general trends influenced by social roles and cultural expectations," she said. "Women are more likely to internalise symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, fatigue and changes in sleep and appetite, where I would say men may externalise their distress and present more with irritability, anger, risk-taking and disengagement."

Braga added that women often fall into the trap of needing to "appear strong and put together" as they juggle multiple roles.

"There are fears of being seen as unstable, overly-emotional, or a bad mother and partner, if we admit we're struggling," she said.

For this reason, women are more likely to dismiss their symptoms and over-rationalise them.

Women are often quick to dismiss symptoms that may be indicators of mental health. Image: Getty.

"We just normalise everyday stressors," Braga said, explaining women will often try to link their feelings with certain life stages and hormones. "They'll say, 'I'm premenopausal, so it must be my emotions, my hormones' — and maybe it's not.

"Now, we're working and also being caregivers. We're stretching ourselves even more.

"Sometimes it's okay to say, 'No, I'm not okay'. You're just human — it's okay to say it's hard."

The signs to watch out for.

Braga said mental health deterioration can manifest in two ways, with emotional symptoms and physical signs.

"So, the emotional symptoms — like mood swings, anxiety and fatigue — are often dismissed as just hormones or motherhood stress, rather than signs of mental illness," she said. "Some of the common signs that are often missed are chronic fatigue — or low energy — excess guilt and self-blame, and feeling responsible for everything or that you're not doing enough. This is often dismissed as stress, or parenting, or work overload, but it could be a sign of depression, anxiety or chronic stress."

Chronic fatigue and low energy are commonly overlooked because "women in their midlife just feel this is the norm."

Braga explained physical symptoms will often present without a clear cause.

"Frequent headaches, stomach issues or muscle pain — sometimes that can be linked to anxiety and depressive symptoms as well."

What should people do next?

If any of these symptoms persist for "more than a few weeks", it's time to reach out for professional help.

Braga said the first step should be to contact your GP, who can assess your mental health, provide a care plan and refer you to a specialist if needed.

She pointed out that mental health support can take many different forms. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach; care should be tailored to individuals.

For instance, Ramsay Clinic Albert Road, where she works, takes a multidisciplinary approach that includes inpatient care, day programmes, community outreach, as well as psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and neurostimulation treatment options such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

"We offer a variety of evidence-based group therapies, tailored to support recovery and personal growth," Braga explained. "The day programme service offers a range of groups, and group therapy is quite powerful in that way, because it offers a space where participants can share, listen and realise they're not alone with what they're feeling … Conversations and expressing how we feel is powerful."

To access group therapy, a patient would typically go through their GP, who can provide a referral to Ramsay Clinic Albert Road or another suitable service.

"As soon as we get that referral, patients get affiliated with an accredited psychiatrist. Then that psychiatrist will refer to us. We do an assessment and get a bit of a sense of what is going on for them to ensure they are placed into the best group for their needs. We've got groups for managing mood, managing anxiety. We've got groups on DBT, CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy. We've also got addiction and support groups. Groups for adolescents, groups for the seniors — so we've got groups for everyone at different stages of their lives."

Braga's message to anyone who suspects they may be struggling is simple.

"I'd encourage everyone to pay attention to changes in their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Don't ignore the signs, listen to yourself, seek help and know it is okay to ask for help — you're not alone."

Head to Ramsay Clinic Albert Road's website to find out more.

This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. As with any medical condition, always seek health advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Visit ramsaymentalhealth.com.au for more information.
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