by Guest » Sat May 28, 2005 8:28 pm
When women tell me they're 'doing fine' with menopause, i.e. no hot flashes, I always ask them about their mood and their anxiety level. And I often find that they are actually not so fine, but minimizing their anxiety levels and mood changes.
The brain is full of receptors for estrogen, and falling levels has profound effects on function. Perimenopause is a very common time for the onset of panic attacks. Persistent disturbing thoughts are probably not OCD (unless you've been diagnosed as having that previously) but rather part of the mood disturbance.
There is definitely help. You may well benefit from the use of antidepressants and/or estrogen, not necessarily for the rest of your life (that is an entirely different discussion), but for right now. There is nothing surprising about your troubles, and, as you've heard, you are definitely not alone. You should ask your doctor about seeing a specialist in menopause and mood.
What a lot of energy you're putting into maintaining. You must be exhausted. Let us know how you're doing, and don't take 'it's just menopause' as an answer.
Best wishes,
Judy