Session Three and Four for Menopausal Women with Anxiety and Depression Group Therapy
Session Three
The main aim of this session is to briefly explore the available drug interventions that are used to relieve symptoms of menopause and also assist the group leader in identifying and solving problems in the group. This will help in enlightening the members on the right methods is mainly for reducing these symptoms. Additionally, informing the members about the available options will give them a sigh of relief since there are answered; therefore, it is paramount that the leader should recap briefly on what was covered during the past two sessions to help the members be able to remember and link with today’s meeting. The leader should quickly remind the members about the symptoms and the changes that occur with the debut of menopause, which was covered in the past session.
Menopause needs no medical treatment since it is a natural phenomenon in the human body. Instead, the available interventions seek to relive the symptoms. Moreover, they assist in managing chronic conditions that come with aging.
Estrogen therapy is among the most successful intervention which is used to relieve hot flashes during menopause. However, this depends on personal and family health history. The doctor is likely to do the prescription of the lowest dose of estrogen and within the shortest time, which is only required to provide relief for the symptoms. In addition to estrogen, progestin may be necessary. Estrogen also is vital in the prevention of bone loss (Brewis et al., 2017). However, it is not recommended that one uses hormone treatment for long since it leads to a risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular complications. Moreover, before a person starts such kind of therapy, it is significant that they consult a doctor.
Vaginal dryness can be relieved by the use of vaginal estrogen. Vaginal ring tablets or cream can be used to increase lubrication. The estrogen introduced in the vagina is usually in low concentration and is absorbed by the tissues of the vagina.
Low dose antidepressants are also a treatment for hot flashes in women who, due to health reasons, may not be able to take estrogen and even for those with mood disorders (Brewis et al., 2017). Gabapentin is a drug that treats seizures but has also have a significant impact on the reduction of hot flashes. Moreover, clonidine, a pill that is used to treat hypertension, leads to relief in hot flashes (Brewis et al., 2017). Medication against osteoporosis is also significant in this case. These will be prescribed based on the health characteristics of an individual. There are several medications that are used in the reduction of risk of a fracturing of bones.
Solving Problems in the Group
Before conflict can be solved, it must be recognized without applying ignorance or assuming that conflict is always negative, which prevents productivity. Remaining aloof or even talking too much may be identified as challenges by the leader (Corey, 2011). Moreover, when a member or some members dominate the conversations and proceedings of the group is the sign of future trouble. Negative comments which are meant to challenge the leader is also a sign that conflicts are arising. Moreover, the leader may also notice reluctance among the members since they are unwilling to participate in group activities (Corey, 2011). One of the reasons for this reluctance is a failing group leader; thus, the leader must be careful ion the skills that they have at hand.
The group leader may identify a problematic group member and may need skills to handle this client. Corey (2011) suggests that without denigrating the person’s character, the leader should express his dissatisfaction. Additionally, the leader needs to avoid responding to sarcastic expressions. The leader should also explain to the member on how the group functions. Moreover, the leader should be sensitive to the persons’ culture and avoid being stereotypical and should also challenge members in a respectful and caring manner so that conflicts are reduced.
Session four
Body Image and Menopause
The main focus of this session is to identify how menopause changes the body image and the emotional aspect that results from the change in the body. The leader should be able to elaborate on the effects of menopause on the image of the body due to the changes taking place and how these changes at menopause affect the emotional aspect of the woman.
Menopause influences the physical appearance and leads to alterations of the typical appearance of the body of a woman. This may be a result of social, emotional, and physical modifications of the woman approaching menopause. Moreover, menopause that comes at an early age due to conditions such as chemotherapy and surgery will have a tremendous effect on the perception of self (Menopause, n.d.). A healthy lifestyle will assist in improving the health and the body image of a woman.
The leader should encourage the members to learn to complement themselves. Instead of focusing on their flaws and negative changes, they should focus on their excellent features and appreciate them. It is significant to write down some compliments on the changes in their body on the realization that they are getting obsessed with the negative traits (Menopause, n.d.). Moreover, they should ensure that they engage in social and spiritual relaxing activities, which are of significant help to reduce stress and anxiety that comes with menopausal changes (Menopause, n.d.). The leader should stress on the significance of physical exercise since it may lead to weight loss and enhance the shape of the body (Menopause, n.d.). This is because a poor body shape can lead to a reduction in self-esteem, eating disorder, emotional stress, anxiety, and depression (Clart, 2017). Engaging in physical activity is a form of therapy to reduce depression and stress.
The leader should explain that the implications of aging and the gravity of their bodies may make them more substantial or change the shape of their bodies to be apple-shaped (Clart, 2017). An unusual sag on the breasts, skin wrinkles and a reduction of the thickness of the hair has been identified as the leading causes of the decline in self-consciousness in issues to do with the sex life and makes women at the menopausal stage feel less sexual attraction to their partners (Levine et al., 2016). They may feel less attractive to their partners due to the change in self-image. Due to a reduction in sex drive and body appreciation, it may lead to relationship conflicts since body appreciation is significant in sexual function (Levine et al., 2016). Moreover, touch avoidance may be experienced where a woman feels apathy towards touched since the skin feels more sensitive. This makes the woman avoid getting intimate, and the combined body warmth is no longer desirable.
The women who have painful and heavy periods may feel relaxed since there is no longer such an experience. Moreover, the risk of pregnancy is eliminated, which may increase an increased interest in intimacy. Social attitudes towards menopausal women may also affect those (Levine et al., 2016). For instance, in most cultures, menopausal women are deemed unattractive and less intimate. Moreover, in some societies, it is believed that intimacy is for young people, which is a misconception.
References
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of group counseling. Nelson Education.
Clart. D. (2017). The psychiatric interview (4th ed., Vol. 1, Ser. 1). London, United Kingdom: Wolters Kluwer.
Menopause. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/menopause
Brewis, J., Beck, V., Davies, A., & Matheson, J. (2017). The effects of menopause transition on women’s economic participation in the UK.
Levine, M. E., Lu, A. T., Chen, B. H., Hernandez, D. G., Singleton, A. B., Ferrucci, L., … & Kusters, C. D. (2016). Menopause accelerates biological aging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(33), 9327-9332.