Dear Caz2,
I just wanted to send you support. I too am going through perimenopause and the anxiety is utterly extreme. I also have fibromyalgia as well as an autoimmune liver condition. However, while I’ve had health concerns the anxiety I’m experiencing is not so much health related as linked to early life complex trauma and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. It’s a weird combination of anxiety and depression. I’m doing a bit better today though.
I am wondering if you are getting any psychological support from counselling of some kind? I’m doing therapy where I’m progressively dealing with past traumas and that has been helping me. Perimenopausal symptoms around this time last year and happening again now have thrown something of a spanner in the works though, intensifying a lot of trauma memories etc.
One thing that has helped me is researching what happens in perimenopause. Apparently oestrogen acts to regulate fear, so if it significantly drops it is like the fear regulating hormone isn’t doing its job and anxiety can go wildly out of control. Some women seem a lot more affected by this than others. So I think even just knowing that can help a little.
Strong anxiety involves the activation of the fight-or-flight response and potentially the freeze response which can cause all the symptoms you described. If you can understand that it is your autonomic nervous system trying to protect you from a perceived threat that actually isn’t there, that may also help a bit.
I know it is like a runaway train and just horrible. How is your sleep? With each of my strong perimenopausal episodes I’ve been getting about 4 hours a night. Lack of sleep can make anxiety worse too.
I think knowing you have been checked out many times at the hospital with normal results, see if you can realise your body is just in overdrive. Are you able to exercise at all, such as do some walks? I know even that can be hard. I had several days where my body just curled up in a freeze response, but eventually I went for a longish walk a couple of days ago which helped me sleep a little better, then more exercise yesterday and some today. Is there anything you find soothing that you connect with, such as some favourite music, being in nature etc?
Please know you are not crazy! Our bodies do crazy stuff to us sometimes. I’m learning to realise my body is just trying to sort stuff out and protect me. Happy to chat if it helps. Take care.
