Menopause anxiety: is it a real thing? What is the link between menopause and anxiety? Why are women far more likely to experience menopause and anxiety disorder at the same time?
Let’s take a look at the reality of menopause anxiety.
Unfortunately, anxiety is pretty common when you’re menopausal, impacting anywhere from 15 - 50% of people. Menopause anxiety (and perimenopause anxiety) will vary in terms of severity.
One of the most frequent concerns that women have during menopause is whether this menopause anxiety will ever go away. Even though it can feel like it’ll never leave, there are ways to manage it.
Menopause anxiety is exactly what it sounds like: anxiety during menopause. Let’s be clear, though: you can also have perimenopause anxiety. Menopause anxiety isn’t something you can get when - and only when - you hit menopause. So, let’s zoom in: what is anxiety?
Let’s make one thing clear: some level of anxiety is actually normal and can be a healthy emotion to feel. However, when your day to day life is affected, that’s when anxiety can be crippling. Unfortunately, there’s a strong link between menopause and anxiety.
Mild anxiety, which is something you can manage yourself, feels like you’re on edge and a little unsettled. Severe anxiety, on the other hand, can severely impact your day-to-day life. Severe anxiety can hinder the way you process your emotions and, therefore, your behaviour, and can cause some physical symptoms, too.
Anxiety is not a black and white thing. Everyone experiences it slightly differently, which is why it’s so tricky to diagnose.
For many, anxiety can manifest by experiencing feelings of extreme fear, tension and panic.
The physical symptoms of anxiety can include: