Peri menopause and shocking mental health

[PMohmywtf]

Trigger warning.

For reference, I've been to the GP-they threw antidepressants at me and basically said get over it.

I'm looking for any help or advice I could access outside of that.

As a teenager (15-21) puberty hormones did a number on me, I had horrifically poor mental health characterised by booze, drugs, a lot of very inappropriate sex and self harm (mainly cutting). I was given antidepressants and a bit of talking therapy and I got better. I assumed the treatment had worked, but on reflection, I think I literally just grew out of it- my hormones settled down and my mental health stabilized and I didn't need the coping mechanisms any more.

Fast forward to 12 months ago. I'm 42 and Peri menopause has hit big time. At first it was apathy and lethargy but now I'm genuinely concerned for my own wellbeing. I can't trust myself to go out and have a drink, I've already scouted out the office drug dealer (fwiw I'm in a high paying professional job) and I'm a liability to myself and others on a works night out, whether I drink or not.

At 17 it was annoying and dangerous and I thank God that nothing really bad ever happened to me, but a 42yo wife and mother of 2 is a whole other level.

Would hrt accessed privately help? I definitely think it's hormones so I'm not sure therapy would help but may give me more appropriate coping mechanisms which it turns out I just never learnt.

I honestly feel like I'm watching myself press the self destruct button on my life in slow motion but I can't stop myself. I need help.

I’m 51. I have just had anti-depressants thrown at me. I went into a spiral of alcohol and a little bit of weed (legal where I live).
I’m off work at the moment with burnout and just had my annual check with my gynae, she’s given me something herbal to take as I had a heart attack 5 years ago and I need to check with my cardiologist if I can go onto HRT.
But my GP wouldn’t even consider it, just said it was my work.

I can’t offer any helpful suggestions but I can offer empathy and say I completely understand. I had a breakdown in my late 40’s and would have taken anything to get out of my own head. Fortunately I didn’t have access to anything

I can also offer hope. I fully recovered from that breakdown after some hefty doses of antidepressants and psychotherapy. i now take all the hrt and all the antidepressants and have been diagnosed with adhd. I’ve always been the “anxious type” but perimenopause pushed me right over the edge. The anxiety was crippling.

Just another thing to think about but it's worth getting your iron and B12 levels checked, especially if you have heavy bleeding which the perimenopause can cause. Many perimenopause symptoms are similar to oow iron, including anxiety.

Also try the calm app, swimming and yoga and or self refer for mental health support via NHS website. It all helps.

Can you atleast try to be abit compassionate instead of throwing heartless digs at the op?!
it is like you trying your best to be judgemental and closed minded

How are you holding up @PMohmywtf ?