Not feeling heard or supported by your healthcare practitioner or therapist in perimenopause?
There is a lot going on all at once in the perimenopause-postmenopause transition. Along with physical symptoms there can be several cognitive and mental health symptoms as well: brain fog, memory problems, mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feeling disorganized, lack of motivation, feeling scattered, just not feeling like yourself anymore, and so much more. It is important to find healthcare practitioners who understand the complexities of the perimenopause experience and won’t just say “It’s normal” “It’s just your age” "Get used to it” “Relax, lose some weight, and try to get more sleep” (as if it’s that easy!) or prescribe a medication without really understanding you, the individual and your history.
Perimenopause can heighten conditions, symptoms, or neurodivergent traits that may have or may not have been previously diagnosed. Many women have been masking ADHD or other neurodivergence their entire lives and don’t even realize it. Many women have struggled with anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, or obsessive thoughts and perimenopause has made it all feel even worse. Please talk with a menopause-informed practitioner who is able to understand your history and current symptoms so that you can treat the underlying causes - whether that is with hormone therapy and/or medication for anxiety, depression, or ADHD traits, and lifestyle/diet/sleep modifications, and therapy to help you better manage the many (many!) stressors.
If you feel brushed off, dismissed, or are handed a prescription without feeling heard, find a practitioner who is up to date on the latest research and practices for perimenopause-postmenopause. The Menopause Society directory is not the only place, but it’s a good place to start for medical and mental health providers: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx
Therapy and healthy lifestyle modifications are an important component to feeling better in perimenopause. It can help to work with someone who understands the complexities and can be on your team to figure out what is realistic for your needs and circumstances.
Are you wondering where can you find a psychologist specializing in perimenopause and menopause support?
I have a specialty of working with women in the perimenopause-postmenopause transition. I’m a member of The Menopause Society and regularly attend their trainings and read their research-informed practice guidelines. I do not prescribe hormones or other medications but I stay informed for myself and to better understand the experiences of the women with whom I work. Along with learning all about the hormones and what’s going on in that realm, I have specialized training for many of the concerns that women experience: anxiety, stress, burnout, overwhelm, perfectionism, people pleasing/fawning, high functioning ADHD/AuDHD traits, attachment, and deciding how much effort to continue putting into unsatisfying relationships.
If you are interested in working with me, click the “schedule a free consultation” button on any page of my website:https://jennifermieschphd.com/. I am able to work clients online in 44 US states and territories.
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-Jennifer Miesch, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist in independent practice and author of The Mental Health Through Menopause and The Being Enough Blog
A blog post is not a substitute for mental health therapy. This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any physical or mental health conditions.
