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The mid-life phenomenon
known as menopause and the stresses of anxiety go hand in
hand. Panic attacks, rushes of energy, burning in the
chest, unusual vibrations throughout the body, and warm
sensations are some of the physical effects you may feel
under this condition.
When menopause hits, there is a greater chance women will
go through anxiety and depression. Christian Northrop
talks about this phenomenon in her book, Wisdom of
Menopause, where if a woman has repressed something in her
life, she won’t be able to get past menopause employing
the same tactics. For example, unexpressed anger will find
its way out and sometimes in unusual or uncomfortable
ways.
In what is often referred to as a ¨midlife crisis,¨ this
time of life forces women to re-evaluate themselves and
the role(s) they play as they are getting older. And,
often times we are not comfortable with what we find. A
little voice in the back of our head is saying, “If you
don’t make changes now … you never will!” Our
hormonal imbalances (due to decreased estrogen levels) can
contribute to feelings of depression or make us feel plain
‘indifference.’ Even if menopause isn’t actually
causing these conditions, it can heighten underlying
anxiety and bring it to the surface.
Anxiety is an individual’s prolonged feeling of dread
and worry with no particular reason behind it. It’s
uncomfortable and causes stress particularly on the body.
It can be triggered by problems in everyday life like
paying the bills and work. Although worrying about these
things for a normal person has its ceiling of severity,
menopausal women suffering from anxiety tend to think
about their problems excessively.
When anxiety finally hits its highest peak, it is often
called a panic attack. Panic attacks are debilitating
episodes of fright and fear that include chest pains, fear
of death, and shaking. In what is called being ¨psychosocially¨
depressed, women have negative beliefs and attitudes in
regards to getting older, assuming unwanted roles such as
caretaker, and responding negatively to impatient husbands
who might demand sex.
Being depressed during the duration of this condition has
a lot to do with their overall psychological well-being
prior to menopause. Women who have continuous anxiety and
depression beforehand are more likely to suffer worse
cases of anxiety during this latter phase of life. If
life-long imbalances have not been healed, menopause may
exacerbate the situation. We might feel unable to perform
¨female duties¨, contributing to feelings of
worthlessness and hopelessness. Research has found that
consistent regular physical activity (i.e. exercise)
before menopause has been scientifically proven to lessen
the possibility of anxiety symptoms during this
transition. It’s also helpful to avoid drinking
caffeine-loaded liquids, sleep deprivation, and stimulant
use.
Psychiatric consultations are highly recommended for
anxiety sufferers under menopause. An experienced
counsellor and/or therapist can help us recover and
evaluate our lives including healing emotional imbalances.
It is a great time to refocus our attention toward new
activities and roles. As is common with anxiety, feelings
of worthlessness, fright, and even suicidal tendencies can
occur. In this case, antidepressants may be prescribed.
Coping with all of the physical changes, assuming new
roles, possibly facing many of our fears for the first
time, and generally waking up to the fact that ¨life just
isn’t what it used to be¨ are all realizations that
contribute to anxiety in older women. In these times, it
is important to maintain focus and concentrate on the
positive things in life. Although it can be hard, it can
be done.
Having a plethora of life responsibilities and obligations
during menopause can create stress, and having an ´excess´
of this stress can cause adrenal fatigue. Anxiety in
menopause sufferers results from hormonal imbalances. In
the menstrual cycle, ovulation causes progesterone (which
has soothing effects on the mind and body) to be released.
Irregular cycles are grounds for anxiety build-up, as a
result of the lack of this ¨happy hormone.¨ All of these
conditions can be treated with alternative therapies such
as natural progesterone cream.
But why do some women go through menopause and barely
notice a difference? One consensus among medical doctors
theorizes that it has a lot to do with women’s
self-esteem and self-confidence. One thing is for sure, if
you are having trouble with either of these, you’ll get
a chance to deal with them now. One thing menopause is
great at, and that is bringing out our unresolved issues.
And we all know how anxious that can make us.
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