It is important to pay attention to your Emotions and
How you are really feeling!
When to seek Therapy?
The hormonal changes during menopause and in the first few years after the menopause can cause emotions to change quite quickly. Emotions can swing from joy one moment to anger and irritability the next. Sometimes you might think you are feeling one thing when really it is a mask for another feeling. For example, you might think you are angry when really you are sad about something. Often it is easier, or more acceptable, to display one emotion rather than the emotion you are really feeling. This transition can be overwhelming and uncontrollable for some men and women thus needing additional support from a therapist to Voice their feelings safely and seek clarity to how they are feeling.
Although physical symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, are most often associated with menopause in women, the emotional effects can be equally pronounced and troublesome for both men and women equally. Men and women menopause happen to coincide with what can be the most stressful time in a person’s life. Aging parents, kids moving out of the home, job stressors, planning for retirement, divorce and financial worries all happen in high frequency in high 40s and 50s. Lucky us! We get to go through menopause on top of all this. The stress alone may be adequate explanation for many of the mood and mental symptoms men and women suffer during menopause.
This time in a person’s life is often full of other transitions – not just physical ones.
In some cultures, reaching the menopause stage is an elevation in society, it may have negative connotations of losing youth, with the consequences of ageing but its a time of celebration and freedom.
The following Menopausal Mental Health Imbalances that I work with in this area are:
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Insomnia
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Social Isolation
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Weight Issues and slowed metabolism
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Mood Disorders (irritability, sadness, tension)
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Lack of Motivation
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Illnesses (bladder control, constipation, skin condition, vision)
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Aggressiveness (short tempered, low tolerance)
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Sexual difficulties
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Cognitive Changes (concentration, forgetfulness, memory loss)
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Lack of Exercise