Feeling Crazy in Perimenopause?

With all the hormonal upheaval and life challenges, a lot of women feel like they're going crazy in perimenopause, Here's what's happening.

MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMSMENOPAUSAL MENTAL HEALTH

Kennerly Clay

5/7/20244 min read

woman outside in the park with head down feeling crazy in menopause

Does perimenopause feel like I'm going crazy?

So, you're in your late 30s or early 40s and suddenly, you don't feel like yourself anymore. Maybe you've been side-swiped by overwhelming fatigue. Or perhaps you're having such vicious mood swings, people around you are walking on egg shells - and you like it that way, dammit. Have hot flashes and night sweats started, too? What about brain fog and lack of ability to keep shit straight?

Welcome to Club Crazy aka perimenopause! Good times, good times. Many women describe perimenopause as a surreal experience where they start to feel like they're losing their minds and might experience depression in menopause. If you're used to being on top of your game, this can be maddening. But, no matter how awful it feels, you're not going crazy. It's just fucking perimenopause. And here's the God's honest truth because somebody's gotta give it to you straight: This shit could go on for a good 10 years. It's time to keep a good eye on menopause and mental health issues.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.

Menopausal madness and hormonal havoc

Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause, and it's all about fluctuating hormone levels. Your estrogen and progesterone levels are all over the place, leading to a variety of symptoms that can make you feel like you're losing control. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms include mood swings, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and even memory problems. All these changes can certainly make you feel a bit...off.

And no disrespect to the mental health industry or people experiencing mental illness. I throw terms around like "crazy" and "madness" because that's really how it feels for women in perimenopause whose symptoms are so overwhelming you can't even recognize yourself anymore. Mental health in menopause is a legit concern.

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Women losing it in perimenopause

When it comes to perimenopause, real-life stories can be comforting and enlightening. Take one of my friends who's living with extreme mood swings, one moment laughing uncontrollably, and the next, losing her ever-living shit with her family for no apparent reason. Or another woman who finds herself forgetting simple things, unable to complete thoughts, forgetting the words for things, or the ongoing challenge of remembering where she left her phone. Beyond that, she finds it challenging to remember calendar appointments or keep up with her kids' school activities.

These experiences are extraordinarily common and can make you feel like you're not yourself. It's imperative to connect with perimenopausal women who know what you're going through. Finding support and camaraderie (and most importantly, humor) can be a tremendous supplement to any medical or holistic perimenopausal treatments. Coping with menopause depression can be overwhelming and may challenge you to keep trying different things to see what works for you.

Watch this Interview with Dr. Marla Shapiro and Prof. Pauline Maki, International Menopause Society

Surviving perimenopause

While perimenopause can feel like a never-ending loop of craziness, there are ways to manage the symptoms. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can make a huge difference. This is also the time to practice radical self-care, putting yourself first every day and finding ways to chill the fuck out, nurture yourself, and enjoy things you enjoy doing. Also, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Hormone therapy as well as alternative treatments like herbal remedies and psychedelic medicine could also provide relief.

So, does perimenopause feel like you're going crazy?

Yup, it can for many women. So just know that you're not crazy thinking you're feeling crazy, but keep in mind these feelings are a normal part of this transitional phase. With the right strategies, you can navigate through this period with a little more ease and a lot less stress.

I would never be able to advise another woman to embrace the change, as I found nothing embraceable about the hell ride that was perimenopause for me. But I do find consolation in remembering: This too shall pass. Because it did.