Navigating Menopause: A Guide for Therapists on Mental Health Awareness

As a therapist, going through my own menopause journey, I’m realizing how important it is to talk about the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. I spent years of my own life beating myself up because I’m a therapist and yet I couldn’t figure out what was going on in my own life. I was moody, depressed, struggling with sleep and body changes. The more I’ve learned about the biology of menopause and the way it impacts our mental wellbeing, the more and more important I think it is to talk with any of my clients who are in their 30’s.

1. Mood Swings and Emotional Lability:

Menopausal hormonal fluctuations, primarily the decline in estrogen, play a pivotal role in mood regulation. Research indicates that the abrupt hormonal shifts characteristic of menopause can contribute to mood swings, emotional volatility, and increased susceptibility to stressors. Estrogen impacts our serotonin production and the sudden drop off can create symptoms of depression which otherwise wouldn’t be present.

2. Anxiety and Altered Stress Response:

The ebb and flow of hormones during menopause can heighten anxiety and stress levels. Understanding these shifts helps therapists assist clients in managing these emotional challenges.

3. Depression and Neurotransmitter Dynamics:

Changes in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine due to hormonal fluctuations can contribute to feelings of depression during menopause. Recognizing this connection is pivotal for therapists addressing mental health concerns. The highest rates of suicide for women occur during the age of menopause between 45 and 65 years old. The impact of the change in hormones cannot be undervalued in our therapeutic work with clients going through this transition.

4. Sleep Disturbances and Hormonal Impact:

Estrogen's decline is implicated in disruptions to sleep architecture, potentially contributing to insomnia and altered sleep patterns. The loss of regular sleep impacts so much in our bodies and minds. Working with new mothers it’s such an important piece of the puzzle, this also holds true for our clients going through menopause or perimenopause.

5. Cognitive Changes and Hormonal Influence:

Estrogen has a neuroprotective role which helps us understand how its decline may contribute to cognitive alterations, including forgetfulness and diminished concentration. These symptoms can be frustrating and somewhat scary for our clients (and ourselves!), providing some education around this and the link to hormonal change can be really empowering for our clients.

6. Body Changes:

We all know that our bodies change as we age, but to experience that is another thing altogether! The societal and internal expectations around our bodies can create symptoms of anxiety or depression and can be important to discuss in our therapy sessions.

Implications for Therapeutic Practice:

1. Education and Normalization:

Provide education on the mental health aspects of menopause, normalizing the varied experiences clients may face. Understanding that these symptoms are part of a natural process can alleviate distress and empower our clients to recognize that this isn’t just a failure on their part but something occurring naturally in their bodies that can be addressed in a number of ways.

2. Open Communication:

Encourage open communication about the emotional and psychological aspects of menopause. Creating the space to talk this through with a professional like you can be really be such a relief!

3. Holistic Well-Being:

Emphasize the importance of holistic well-being, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and self-care practices. These factors can positively influence mental health during menopause. There are a lot of ways women can support themselves through menopause, encouraging our clients to explore what works for them is so important.

4. Collaborative Care:

Foster collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to mental health and menopause. This may involve coordinating care with gynecologists or other specialists. This may also involve encouraging your client to speak with their doctor about this issue for the first time.

5. Empowerment and Resilience:

Empower clients to embrace the changes and challenges of menopause as part of their unique journey. Foster resilience by highlighting their strengths and coping mechanisms along with the need to potentially change some of the coping skills they’ve known and loved for so long. This is a big change, and I know I’ve had to rethink how I care for myself and treat myself during times when I feel strong emotions and physical symptoms.

CONCLUSION:

By cultivating awareness of the mental health symptoms associated with menopause, therapists can create a supportive and informed environment for clients navigating this significant life transition. Together, we can work towards enhancing mental well-being and fostering resilience during the transformative phases of perimenopause and menopause. Most importantly, we can highlight the need for awareness of this issue. You don’t have to be the expert either! Just knowing the basics and bringing this forward for your clients is a huge step that many of them really need.