Menopause and Anxiety Attacks Often Go Hand in Hand
All women will eventually go through menopause. It’s unavoidable but that doesn’t mean one can’t educate themselves enough to be prepared for its effects. Knowing how to handle the symptoms of menopause can make it easier to transition into this part of life. Since anxiety is one of the primary symptoms of menopause it’s important to understand how the two coincide.
Most women who have experienced menopause can tell you that hot flashes are perhaps the most troublesome symptom they encounter. Unfortunately, anxiety has the tendency of increasing hot flashes. In fact, according to research, women with a heightened state of anxiety have reported nearly five times as many hot flashes as women with less anxiety. This occurs because menopause creates hormone imbalances that can produce an environment where you are more susceptible to anxiety disorders.
Some anxiety symptoms to watch out for are:
Shaking
Fullness in the throat and chest
Breathlessness
Rapid heartbeat
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Irritability
Excessive worrying
Inability to concentrate
Feelings of sadness
Fortunately there are often simple solutions to menopause anxiety attacks . If you find yourself experiencing a good number of these symptoms try one of the following:
Talk to your doctor. He or she can make sure your anxiety is not due to some other factor such as illness or poor overall health.
Find ways to relax. Oftentimes something that helps you find your center can chase away symptoms of anxiety. Some suggestions include practicing yoga, reading an interesting book, having a lazy day on the couch, or going on a run.
Get plenty of exercise. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain. Since endorphins are often referred to as the “happy chemical” you can see why getting your heart rate up could help ease menopause stress.
Consider hormone replacement therapy to help restore some of the hormones lost during menopause.
Medical options can be considered if the prior solutions for menopause panic attacks are not effective. Speaking with a trained psychological professional is often a good idea. They offer many options, ranging from psychotherapy for anxiety management to anxiety medications. Anxiety medications are often a last resort but they can be highly effective if nothing else has worked.
Transitioning into menopause and dealing with it on a regular basis is hard enough. Don’t let anxiety add to the struggle. For more information on how menopause and anxiety attacks go hand in hand, contact Dr. Andrew Rosen and The Center for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Delray Beach, Florida at 561-496-1094 or email Dr. Rosen today.
