by Cathy Taylor
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 counselor 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.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not
intended as medical advice.
About The Author
Cathy writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly
menopause, and a copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com.
To read a sample of this book go to http://www.everythingmenopause.com/currentissue.html
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