Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hi -
I'm writing because I spoke to my oldest friend yesterday, who is 55 and has not had a period for two years. I am very concerned about her, because she is experiencing weird changes in perception (no hallucinations or anything...but a feeling as if something is "off"...I know this feeling because I had it after I gave birth to my son and my hormones were in complete chaos...) - she also is having bouts of extreme vertigo...but the emotional stuff and weird perceptions are the most intense...she says she sits on the sofa all day with her eyes closed, which is VERY much not like her, as she has always been very active...
I know that menopause can cause brain glitches and changes in the way your brain functions, but this sounds extreme. I've never heard of a menopausal experience that was so horrific. She has been to various doctors - one told her she had a low thyroid problem, while another told her she did not, etc. I suggested she have her hormone levels tested, as I feel intuitively that this is hormonal, especially since a few years ago, when her period was ending, she went through a "rage stage" that was really extreme.
Has anyone else experienced these kinds of feelings? They are so difficult to describe, because the feelings involve the mind. She said that she feels as if she is observing the world, and people are moving and functioning around her, but she is not a part of it all. I also had this feeling post-partum, which makes me feel even more that what she is going through is hormonal.
Anyway, I told her I would ask this forum about it to see if anyone has gone through this or is going through this, and what can be done about it...
Thanks,
Janet
I'm writing because I spoke to my oldest friend yesterday, who is 55 and has not had a period for two years. I am very concerned about her, because she is experiencing weird changes in perception (no hallucinations or anything...but a feeling as if something is "off"...I know this feeling because I had it after I gave birth to my son and my hormones were in complete chaos...) - she also is having bouts of extreme vertigo...but the emotional stuff and weird perceptions are the most intense...she says she sits on the sofa all day with her eyes closed, which is VERY much not like her, as she has always been very active...
I know that menopause can cause brain glitches and changes in the way your brain functions, but this sounds extreme. I've never heard of a menopausal experience that was so horrific. She has been to various doctors - one told her she had a low thyroid problem, while another told her she did not, etc. I suggested she have her hormone levels tested, as I feel intuitively that this is hormonal, especially since a few years ago, when her period was ending, she went through a "rage stage" that was really extreme.
Has anyone else experienced these kinds of feelings? They are so difficult to describe, because the feelings involve the mind. She said that she feels as if she is observing the world, and people are moving and functioning around her, but she is not a part of it all. I also had this feeling post-partum, which makes me feel even more that what she is going through is hormonal.
Anyway, I told her I would ask this forum about it to see if anyone has gone through this or is going through this, and what can be done about it...
Thanks,
Janet
Yes, I think you may be on to something, as I also immediately thought "disassociation" when I heard her symptoms...but I was not sure if this syndrome occurs during menopause or not...but as you say, since it is a symptom of anxiety or depression, and there can be so much anxiety or depression during menopause, she may be in a state of disassociation - this may be how her anxiety or depression manifests...
Yes, your response was very helpful, and I will suggest to my friend that she speak to a mental health professional as well as investigate the physical aspects of her situation...
Thanks so much...
Janet