ABSTRACT
Women are often relieved when learning there is a strong connection between their moods, hormones, and physical sensations. Some women experience more of a hormonal sensitivity than others. Chapter 13 educates readers about several of the common hormones they experience during and after pregnancy (hCG, estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin), and the role these play in their mood changes. The most common times of onset of mood disorders for women are during menses, pregnancy, the first menstruation post-pregnancy, weaning from breastfeeding, and menopause. PMS, PMDD, D-MER, and low libido are discussed as possible outcomes of hormonal changes. Activities help the reader call attention to their moods and physical changes. By connecting their physical sensations with any beliefs they are having, they can better understand how thoughts and physical symptoms are related (for example worrying that feelings of nausea during pregnancy might be indications of something much worse). Readers learn self-soothing skills to cope with physical sensations they may be experiencing, such as breathing and relaxation techniques to manage nausea and chest tightness or other body symptoms. This chapter builds nicely on the Cognitive Behavioral Skills taught in Chapters 7 and 8, and the mindfulness body-based skills in Chapter 10.
