involutional depression

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Involutional Depression

Definition: Involutional depression is a type of major depression that often happens during significant life changes, particularly around middle age, such as during menopause for women. It is linked to hormonal changes and can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• When to Use: You would use this term in discussions about mental health, especially when talking about depression that occurs due to life transitions or hormonal changes.

Example Sentence:

"After going through menopause, she experienced involutional depression, which made her feel very low for several months."

Advanced Usage:

In professional or clinical settings, the term might be used to describe specific symptoms or treatment approaches for individuals experiencing this type of depression.

Word Variants:

• Involutional (adjective): Relating to the changes or processes that lead to involutional depression.
• Depression (noun): A broader term that encompasses various types of depressive disorders.

Different Meanings:

• Involution: In a general sense, it can refer to a process of shrinking or inward turning, often used in biological or psychological contexts.
• Depression: Besides its usage in mental health, it can also refer to a physical state, like a dip or hollow in a surface.

Synonyms:

• Climacteric depression (specifically related to life transitions)
• Hormonal depression
• Midlife depression

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically for "involutional depression," you can use phrases related to feelings of sadness or mental health, such as: - "Down in the dumps" (feeling very sad) - "Feeling blue" (feeling sad or depressed)

Summary:

Involutional depression is a specific type of depression related to significant life changes, particularly hormonal shifts. It’s important to understand the context in which it arises and to recognize that it is a medical condition that can require attention and treatment.

Academic

Noun

1. a major depressive episode associated with the climacteric