Hot flushes and disrupted sleep tend to dominate conversations about menopause, but the psychological side often catches women off guard. Anxiety that appears from nowhere. A low mood that doesn’t lift. A sense of not quite recognising your own emotional responses anymore. None of this is unusual, and none of it means something is wrong with you.
Oestrogen plays a role in regulating serotonin, the brain chemical closely tied to mood. As hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause and menopause, that regulation becomes less predictable, which can trigger anxiety or low mood even in women with no previous history of either. Sleep disruption compounds the problem further, since poor sleep alone is enough to lower resilience and heighten anxious thinking.
Many women describe feeling caught off guard by symptoms that don’t match their usual personality. Irritability, tearfulness, panic that arrives without an obvious trigger. It can be unsettling, particularly when GP appointments focus mainly on physical symptoms and leave little room to discuss the emotional impact.
Speaking with a psychologist during this stage of life gives you space to make sense of what’s happening rather than just manage the symptoms in isolation. Therapy can help you understand which thoughts and behaviours are keeping anxiety going, develop practical strategies for low mood, and process any grief connected to this life transition. For some women, Compassion Focused Therapy is particularly helpful, especially where self-criticism has crept in alongside the emotional symptoms.
You don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable before getting support. Early conversations often prevent things from escalating.
Dr Jinnie Ooi at Angsana Psychology offers menopause therapy in Norwich, both in person and online, tailored to what you’re experiencing. To find out more, email hello@angsanapsychology.com or get in touch to arrange your free 15-minute consultation.
