The Beginners Guide to Understanding Mental Health & Menopause

Your Mental Health as a Woman in Midlife

If you’ve found yourself asking, “What is happening to me?” you’re not alone.

Many women walk into their 40s (and sometimes late 30s) and start noticing things feel…off. Maybe you’re more anxious than usual, your patience is paper-thin, your sleep is wrecked, and you’re not even sure who you are some days. Sound familiar?

Let’s talk about what’s really going on because chances are, it’s not “just stress” or “getting older.” It might be perimenopause or menopause, and it can have a big impact on your mental health.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause. It can begin 4-10 years before your periods stop for good. For some women, it starts in their mid-to-late 30s; for others, it begins in their 40s. This phase can last anywhere from a couple of years to over a decade.

During perimenopause, hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate wildly. And those hormones? They affect everything from your mood to your sleep to how your brain functions.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause officially begins when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. The average age in the U.S. is around 51. After that, you’re considered postmenopausal, but symptoms can continue for years after your last period.

How Does This Affect Mental Health?

This is the part many people don’t talk about and it’s where therapy can be so helpful. Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause can lead to a wide range of emotional and cognitive symptoms, including:

• Increased anxiety or panic attacks

• Low mood or depression

• Irritability or rage you don’t recognize in yourself

• Brain fog or forgetfulness

• Sleep issues that make everything harder

• A sense of feeling “lost” or not like yourself anymore

These changes aren’t just “in your head.” They’re real, and they’re common. But too often, women are told to push through or are misdiagnosed with a mental health condition without anyone checking for hormonal changes.

What Can You Do About It?

The good news? You don’t have to go through this alone. Understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step. Talking to a therapist who understands the mental health side of menopause can help you make sense of the emotional rollercoaster, rebuild your confidence, and feel like yourself again.

You’re Not Broken, You’re Changing

Perimenopause and menopause are big transitions, but they don’t have to feel like the end of your story. With the right support, they can be a powerful opportunity for healing, growth, and reconnection with yourself.

If you’re in Allen, Plano, or Frisco, Texas and you’re looking for someone who gets it, I’m here to help.