Mental Health And The Menopausal Woman

Managing Anxiety

Similar to depression, anxiety is another mental health issue that can negatively impact a woman during menopause, and often has the most difficult symptoms to cope with. Aside from the symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety may also include nervousness, panic attacks, feelings of unworthiness and guilt, low self-esteem, restlessness, agitation, and difficulty managing daily life. Many women who experience anxiety feel unable to cope with situations that were never an issue before, such as social anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by others. This can be terribly frightening and undermine a woman’s confidence, and may even make her feel like she is going crazy.

Eight percent of women suffer from agoraphobia, a type of anxiety disorder in which the patient fears and avoids places or situations that can cause them to panic and make them feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. Seventy percent of those who experience social anxiety are women, and this form of anxiety can intensify during menopause. Anxiety is a buildup of pressure in the mind, and often the only way to alleviate this stress is to talk about it with a professional or trusted individual.

Consider treatments for anxiety and depression next.