Die verband tussen 'n geslagshormoonwanverhouding en depressie by vroue

English: This study was directed by the following three specific objectives: - Firstly, to present a theoretical synthesis from the literature, which would explain the possible relation between depression and a sex hormone imbalance from a medical hypnoanalytical perspective. - Secondly, to determine whether a statistically significant correlation exists between dysthymia and depression respectively (in terms of two scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III, namely scales D and CC) and the individual serum values of women's testosterone, progesterone and estradiol (in their oestrogen, progesterone or menopausal phases classified separately or considered jointly). - Thirdly, to determine whether the three relative imbalances of the sex hormones, namely between testosterone and progesterone, between oestrogen and progesterone, and between testosterone and oestrogen, in terms of the Maartens profile (Maartens, 1994), displays a statistically significant correlation with dysthymia and depression in terms of the counts obtained on the scales of the above-mentioned psychometric measuring instrument. Subsequently, it was determined which statistically significant correlation is most significant. In order to achieve these objectives, the following methodology was followed: - Objective 1: A relevant literature survey was conducted. - Objectives 2 and 3: The first 60 women who presented a mild or serious degree of depression in the clinical opinion of Dr. H. Vosloo (a medical practitioner) or the researcher, were selected randomly for the purpose of the research. If they were prepared to participate in the research, they were requested first to complete the information sheet by providing their personal details and then to give written permission that their hormone profile and psychometric data may be used in the research on an anonymous basis. Subsequently they were requested to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (Short Form) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III and to have blood samples taken at specific pathologists. The pathologists then sent their results to Dr. Vosloo, who interpreted it further. At the same time, all the mentioned psychometric measuring instruments were scored and interpreted by the researcher himself and the results of the Maartens profile were obtained from Dr. Vosloo. The results related to each objective, which were obtained in the abovementioned methodological manner, can be summarised as follows for each objective: - Objective 1: It was shown successfully from the literature that nonoverwhelming chronic stress stimulates B-endorphin secretion and testosterone secretion, but as soon as the stressor is conceptualised as overwhelming, it has a testosterone-inhibiting function as a result of the still-rising endorphin levels. It was also demonstrated successfully from the literature, in terms of the medical hypnoanalytical model, that the first time an individual is exposed to the stressor, it is called the Initial Sensitising Event. The second time the individual is exposed to a similar stressor is called the Symptom Producing Event, and the third time it is called the Symptom Intensifying Event. After the third event the stressor is conceptualised as overwhelming in terms of the triple allergenic theory, and the stressor can therefore exert a testosterone-inhibiting function, which explains the presentation of depression in terms of medical hypnoanalysis. - Objective 2: The research results of this objective indicated that there is no statistically significant relation between depression and the individual serum values of the three primary sex hormones. - Objective 3: In the case of this objective, the research results indicated that a relatively low testosterone level (in comparison to the other possible hormone-imbalance classification categories in terms of the Maartens profile) displays the strongest statistically significant relation (p < 0,05) with dysthymia and depression. On the basis of the research results of this investigation, the researcher can therefore conclude that the traditional view of a hormone imbalance (in terms of the deviation of a patient's individual serum values from the mean values) has it's limitations, because this before mentioned hormone imbalance cannot be conceptualised as a cause for depression. A sex hormone imbalance in terms of the Maartens profile can, however, perform such an etiological role.