I knew that something was up when I started forgetting things.
I had always had a good memory and I prided myself on this when I was studying at school and university. I found it easy to remember facts and figures. This also helped me beyond my studies and throughout my life. I was good with names and faces too.
Up until I started peri-menopause…..
Then, I would not remember people’s names (and these were people I really knew quite well). At parties and social gatherings, I would say to my husband that if I did not introduce him to people, it was because I had forgotten their names and for him to introduce himself. That was our little game! Thankfully it worked!
As a school teacher, I thank God that the class lists had photos on them with the names of the students. This had not been the case in my early teaching years when personal computers were hardly even invented! Thank goodness for advancing technology! Especially when going through menopause.
It took me ages to remember all the students I was teaching towards the end of my full-time teaching career.
I have even lost my car in parking stations.
Now, I take a photo of the floor level and other details when at an unfamiliar parking place.
Hell…I have even not been able to find my car in familiar parking spots like my local shopping centre. This happens when I park in a different place to where I normally park due to being crowded.
Recently, I spent some time with one of my neighbours whose apartment had been broken into while he was home and he was attacked by a woman who was unhinged (she was too young to be menopausal). He lives in the same apartment complex we do. We even had lunch with him after the event.
A couple of weeks later, I didn’t recognise him at our local train station. What the hell was going on with me???
Has anyone else experienced this? Let me know in the comments below.
So, what is really happening?
Menopause can trigger quite a few mental and emotional issues.
Some of the changes experienced by women during peri menopause and menopause are:
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness
- Lack of motivation
- Anxiety
- Aggressiveness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Mood changes
- Tension
- Fatigue
Studies have shown that menopause can exacerbate the symptoms of mental issues for those who already have them eg bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression 1.
For women who do not present with these conditions before peri-menopause, fluctuating hormone levels can certainly mimic the symptoms of these conditions. 2
So, if you are feeling any of these symptoms, just know it is quite normal at this stage. You are NOT going crazy, although it may feel like you are. Just understanding this is a breakthrough for many women and can help take the edge of their concerns.
Also knowing that these symptoms are mostly temporary is also helpful.
There is no need to be scared or think that there is something wrong with you. There isn’t!
You are just menopausal…that’s it! No. Big. Deal!
So, if you feel like you are going crazy and would like to have a chat and have your mind put at ease, book yourself in to my online calendar. https://calendly.com/gcmitchell58/quick-chat
No obligation!
I am here to help!
References:
2. https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/hormones-and-bipolar-disorder/
