Feeling Flush

I’ve mood swings, suffer anxiety, can’t cope, I don’t feel like myself …

The menopause can cause many women to suffer from mood swings, depression, anxiety or panic attacks. This is due to hormonal changes which often combined with lack of sleep can make a woman feel unstable or unwell with many not realising there are suffering from these symptoms until well into the menopause. Some complain of ‘not feeling like myself’ – it is important to keep a keen eye on these symptoms and should you be worried, talk to your GP. Some things you can do:

Be proactive by asking your family to keep an eye on you – they may just help you recognise when you are not yourself and help you snap out of it by putting yourself in a positive frame of mind.
Try not to feel stigmatised by the menopause, you are simply going through a hormonal transition, be open about it and deal with it head on. Keep yourself in a positive frame of mind … I’m going to tackle this head on and not let it get me down. Taking things day by day can make a big difference.
Gentle physical activity can greatly improve mood and help you re-balance. Try yoga, healthy walks or focus on a physical hobby.
Keep a keen eye on yourself and if you feel you are not coping, bothered by anxiety, don’t deal with it alone, talk to your GP.

Alice Culbert from Limerick shares her experience …

Alice Culbert is a 52 year old Limerick woman who was recently seen on RTE’s Off the Rails declaring she needed a style makeover after her long suffering menopause! Alice knows all to well about how bad the menopause can be for some women having suffered from severe symptoms over the past number of years.

Alice comments, “Despite all of these physical symptoms, it was actually my bad form which was my worst nightmare …I was like someone else … suffered from anxiety attacks, depression and just couldn’t cope with anything. I lost my will to enjoy life, obsessed about the smallest things and didn’t know what way to turn, knowing there was no magic cure.”

Alice believes there is a real need for more openness to highlight what menopausal women go through, she comments “There is a lot of stigma attached the menopause with the issue often being brushed under carpet … I’d no qualms about announcing my menopausal state on Off the Rails! As a woman, I just needed empathy, understanding and a bucket of love. It’s something that we as women shouldn’t apologise for. The best way for women to deal with these moods is by keeping a keen eye on yourself - to force yourself to smile and put a good front on even when you don’t feel like it. Exercise also makes a big difference and you’ll feel a little better every day by looking after yourself. I’m not in the clear yet, however, I now know that I can handle the symptoms a lot better and hopefully by speaking out, I can help other women like me handle theirs.”