Why Does Everything Feel Harder Emotionally Right Now with Menopause?
Katie* (not her real name) came to see me and her main complaint was that she couldn’t seem to handle anything anymore. She said that small things that usually didn’t bother her, were now causing her to burst into tears or they were causing her to scream at her family. She said that she usually considered herself a pretty go-with-the-flow person. But, now she was worried because she didn’t feel at all like herself. She said it felt like her emotions were taking over her brain and body, and she didn’t know what to do to get back in control.
Feeling overwhelmed and having changes to a woman’s mood and emotions is something that I commonly see in my therapy practice when I’m working with women in mid-life. There are so many competing bids for women’s attention at this stage of life. Let’s dig a little deeper to better understand how all of these can impact a woman’s emotional health.
Is It Anxiety or Perimenopause? How to Tell the Difference
You are going about your day as usual, and suddenly, your heart starts pounding like it is going to jump out of your chest. You start sweating uncontrollably. You have an intense sense of doom and dread that washes over you, and you can’t place an exact thing that triggered the overwhelming fear. All of these sudden symptoms stop you in your tracks and make you question the origin of all this. You think to yourself, “What’s causing this? Is this my brain or my hormones?” (Note: Any new chest pain or severe symptoms need medical evaluation first).
Questions about the role of hormones and menopause on women’s mental health and their mood are common. In this blog post, we will work to create a better understanding of the overlap and differences between anxiety and perimenopause, in order for you to feel more prepared to deal with the symptoms as they arise.
Am I Losing My Mind, or Is This Hormonal? A Guide to Mood, Anxiety & Emotional Health in Perimenopause and Menopause
It’s 2 a.m. and you suddenly get woken up from sleep. Your mind is racing. You suddenly remember every single detail of the things that you forgot to do yesterday. You try to fall back to sleep but you can’t. Your brain just won’t slow down. You start to question whether or not you are going insane. Or could there possibly be another reason…maybe those hormones that your friends keep talking about.
If this is happening to you, don’t panic. Despite your worry and the disruption to your sleep and by extension, your life, these symptoms don’t automatically mean that something is wrong with your mind. This guide will help you better understand who is actually happening during the perimenopausal and menopausal phase and how it impacts your mood, emotional health, and brain.
The Truths About Menopause Therapy in Chicago That Most People Don’t Know
In my previous post, we talked all about the myths of menopause therapy in Chicago. While it is important to be able to know what things are false, it is just as important to know what is TRUE! Here are some of the truths that I think you should know when you are searching for the right menopause therapist in Chicago.
Top 5 Myths About Menopause Therapy in Chicago (and the Truth Behind Them)
There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about therapy and about menopause. When you combine the two and are trying to understand menopause therapy, the confusion increases exponentially. Let’s take some time to clear up some of the top myths that I hear from clients in Chicago about menopause therapy.
FAQs About Menopause Therapy, Counseling, and Coaching in Chicago
Menopause has come rushing into the spotlight in the past few years. With that increased exposure comes a lot of increased opportunities to find support for all aspects of this life transition. Being able to find the correct support system for your menopause journey is important, but it can be perplexing. One point of confusion that many people run into is whether to turn to a menopause therapist or a menopause coach. For people searching for a menopause therapist, they can refer to the blog post here for a guide about finding the right menopause therapist for you. Below, we will explore a little more to clear up common questions about therapy versus coaching.
What To Expect In Your First Menopause Therapy Session in Chicago
If you have never been to therapy before, it can feel very mysterious. What actually happens in those 53 minute sessions? Even if you are a therapy veteran, starting with a new therapist can bring up feelings of uncertainty. Please know that feeling nervous for your first session is completely normal and expected. As mentioned in The Complete Guide to Finding the Right Menopause Therapist in Chicago your therapist knows that you just went through the whole process of trying to find someone to support you. Your therapist expects that you might be feeling emotionally vulnerable. Here is a more in depth explanation of what you can expect in your first session, so that you can feel as prepared as possible .
Questions to Ask a Menopause Therapist in Chicago Before Your First Session
After lots of searching, worrying, and feeling overwhelmed, you are ready to talk to a potential therapist. You have asked your friends for advice. You looked at blogs about how to find a good therapist. You have scoured the internet looking at therapist websites and have finally made a consultation appointment with someone you think could be a good fit for you. But, now that you have found someone, what are you supposed to talk to them about? This post will help you figure out exactly what to ask during the consultation to find the menopause therapist that is right for you.
The Complete Guide to Finding the Right Menopause Therapist in Chicago
Chicago is a fun, exciting, and beautiful place to live. We have the Lake, the Bears, the Cubs, the Blackhawks, the White Sox, the Obama Library, the Field Museum, and so much more. It is a place where we get the best of both worlds: Midwest nice with a cosmopolitan feel. But, even with all the amazing advantages of living in Chicago, life can still feel hard and overwhelming. If you have been searching for a menopause therapist in Chicago, you understand what it is like to be going through this life transition. Find out more about how to find the right menopause therapist in Chicago for you.