The Psychology Of Midlife and Menopause
Several psychological concerns arise for women during midlife and menopause. The notion of the “superwoman” has been cultivated over numerous generations. Women have felt a duty to help others above themselves while striving to maintain a good “do it all” appearance. The typical timing of menopause is in middle age; not to forget the psychological impact if it is younger. Usually, it may coincide with motherhood, career changes, grandparenthood, caring for an elderly parent and other roles.
Many women feel unprepared, stressed and overwhelmed when they have to deal with the additional challenges of this stage of life. They feel ‘bogged down’ by a sense of guilt that they’re not doing enough, which prevents them from taking care of themselves. They feel chained to their commitments and unable to find time for anything else. This can lead to an overwhelming feeling of being time-poor and stressed out and feeling ‘stuck’ or that you’re ‘losing yourself’. In addition, anxiety related to menopause can trigger past experiences of complex trauma and the resurgence of traumatic memories and symptoms.
The following common symptoms can impact the ability to balance a woman's many roles in day-to-day life.
Mood and Cognitive Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Low Mood / Depression
- Trouble concentrating
- Forgetfulness / 'brain fog'
- Difficulty making decisions
Physical Symptoms
- Insomnia, sleep deprivation
- Hot flashes, night sweats
- Muscle pain
- Joint aches
- Weight gain
- Urinary incontinence
- Vaginal dryness, low libido, sexual issues
We Use proven therapies to help women embrace This change of life
Evidence shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve wellbeing and decreases the impact of symptoms of menopause. Group and individual cognitive behaviour therapy are both effective at reducing the impact of menopausal symptoms.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy (Psychotherapy) that helps you become aware of your inaccurate or negative thinking to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively. CBT can help treat mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, but it can also be helpful for anyone who wants to learn how to manage stressful life situations better. CBT is the primary therapy used by The Menopause Psychologist, below are some examples of the variations or components of CBT employed.
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT is a newer form of cognitive therapy that also incorporates mindfulness into therapy. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy helps people to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and to learn how to let go of negative thoughts and feelings that can cause them distress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The understanding is that thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours are interconnected. ACT deals with the present. A core aim of ACT is to empower you to manage your current and future problems better. It is problem-focused and goal-oriented therapy.
Psychoeducation
When you receive a diagnosis, you want to learn about your condition, and mental health disorders are no different. Psychoeducation is a component of CBT focused on teaching you about your mental health condition and illness. Psychoeducation provides information about the causes, symptoms, prognosis, and treatments of your mental health condition.
Skills Training
Skills training is a component of CBT. In addition, Positive Psychology (PP), the study of what makes life worthwhile, is incorporated. The aim is to improve your quality of life. This is achieved by teaching you skills such as enhancing emotional intelligence, exploring meaningful and valued living, learning self-acceptance, realising resilience, maximising strengths, nurturing positive relationships, and mastering motivation & goal achievement.