Spike in anxiety

[Changesarecoming]

Hello,

I am 46 and feel like changes are happening that can be attributed to perimenopause. I did go for a blood test around Christmas but hormones were fine, which I know is considered normal for perimenopause. I also have pcos / pmos.

In the last week or so, my anxiety has spiked out of nowhere. I am obsessively worrying over multiple things and I am not sure what has caused this. I am considering going to get some anti depressants to get over this bump but not sure what to do for the best.

Anyone else have this? I am trying to switch off but just feel so tearful. My husband is super supportive and brilliant at nationalising things for me but obviously isn't with me all the time and isn't a cure!

I have the same, I have general anxiety but several times a year it goes crazy without anything major happening, I don’t really have a resolution for you but I understand what you are going through and I feel for you, it’s hard.

I have the same, I'm 43 and started over the past year.
Mine is highly cyclical with hormones for sure.

All of a sudden will get crippling anxiety, over whatever small thing(s) might be on my mind, but I suddenly start catastrophising out of nowhere. I feel sick 24/7 for around a week, then gone as quickly as it started.

Doctor tried me on the mini-pill but that made the anxiety constant, rather than cyclical. So I've stopped that. They prescribed antidepressants now, but I haven't started them as too nervous.

Hope you get some answers.

It's so hard. I can't seem to go a day without something popping up to worry about. I can't seem to get on with my day today.

Why would you not just go for HRT? It's fabulous. I started at 44, should have done it two years earlier.

I have had sertraline before, years ago, alongside counselling for a particular issue and it worked wonders. I wouldn't have an issue going on this again but if it's hormonal, it's not really going to help when i want to come off.
Cherrypie, it may be worth giving them a go? I may still do it.

I can't tolerate any hormonal contraception as I have aged

I did ask the GP about hrt but he was skeptical due to my low tolerance of hormonal contraception and advised me to wait a little longer if I could.
We also have history of breast cancer in the family which makes me nervous but I understand that there are some types that would be suitable. It's a minefield.

I never did well with hormonal contraception but do great with HRT (gel + tablets).

HRT sorted me out 90%. For the other 10% I take sertraline and the combo for me is perfect.

Thank you. It's good to know. I am so confused about the whole perimenopause. It doesn't help that I am overweight and never know if symptoms are because of that or hormonal.

Please go and see your GP explain what's been going on. They should be best placed to advise as to whether HRT or antidepressants would be more beneficial. You don't have to continue feeling like this and it will definitely get better ❤️

I can relate. I'm same age and have recently spent two months feeling exceptionally anxious - it started over something minor. I have zero history of any mental health issues so this has been totally out of the blue for me. Feeling better the past couple of weeks but feeling nervous of it recurring.

Your thoughts are only governed by the limits of your imagination, which is why a little niggle can mushroom into unmitigated disaster within moments.

One very effective way of reining them in is to write down what you're worried about. This works because it allows your logical mind to decide whether your fears are reasonable and, if there is any substance behind them, the steps you can take to deal with them.

Think of the anxiety as a fantasy film and your rational brain as Spock saying "Jim, that is not logical"

This sheet is useful in figuring out how to quantify your thoughts;

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ThoughtRecordSheet7.pdf