Severe anxiety - is this perimenopause?

[tulilp]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, but had got to a place where this was well controlled by ADs and CBT techniques. However some four years ago my anxiety started to increase and has been getting worse ever since (I'm now 48), despite an increase in my AD dose. I'm convinced this is hormone related - my life is generally pretty good and I can't think of anything else that could be causing it. HOwever every time I speak to a GP they say that as I'm still having regular periods it's not likely to be to do with the menopause. However a quick look at various internet sites seems to suggest that anxiety can be one of the first symptoms ...

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and how you coped? TIA

Its not so simple tulip, anxiety and depression can have a lot of causes and I don't know if you tried other models of long term psychotherapy except CBT techniques or if there is a need for ADs or not.
Your psychotherapist can evaluate that according your history.
Concerning hormones, yes hormonal fluctuations can cause an increase in anxiety symptoms in peri and hrt can help for sure. Having regular periods doesn't mean that you are not in peri.
I started to have severe symptoms with almost regular periods. My anxiety was caused from insomnia and tiredness and everything disappeared when I started hrt.

I have had various different therapies over the years and feel that I have pretty much exhausted this avenue. I do think HRT might help but the GP I saw most recently, while grudgingly conceding perimenopause might be a factor, said they wouldn't consider HRT unless there were other symptoms - so I'm in the weird position of hoping that I will start getting hot flushes etc!!

Emerald, can I ask if you were prescribed HRT while still having regular periods?

I had almost regular periods but very light (only for 2 days).
I also had severe symptoms as insomnia, brain fog, body aches, insulin intolerance and I couldn't function at all.
I guess that your GP would not prescribe you hrt based only on your anxiety.
Maybe you check your FSH?

I'm peri menopausal, started HRT and have been having bouts of anxiety. I get very emotional and upset easily. I'm also over sensitive about something.
I over think too much and makes endless conclusion. it's so bad.

I guess it's pretty normal. on most days I feel fine. but in the evening before bedtime I cry buckets of tears and my mood is get low.

Hi Blanche, it takes time. Maybe the progestin in hrt affects you. For me hrt is a lifesaver and I saw an improvement almost immediately. If you feel good most of the time that is good. I think that maybe you give more time to yourself to adjust or to try a different progestin.:)

I would try a different GP. My anxiety levels ramped up enormously as I headed towards the menopause and HRT has made a huge difference. I did have other menopausal symptoms at the time I went on HRT, but it was the mood swings and general anxiety that were the primary reason I went on it.

I'm the same op. Currently having my fsh levels monitored

I htink if you can see a pattern to it, then you'll know if its hormonal.
I went on HRT for cyclical depression/anxiety, (along with heart palpitations and erratic periods). It has really helped. I was fine for 2 weeks then felt terribly low for 2 weeks.

Hi Tulip, crazy anxiety and mood swings was exactly how my peri menopause symptoms started. GP advised Ads. I refused due to bad experience with SNRI several years ago. Now on Evorel 50 and hey presto symptoms have radically decreased. You know yourself I think whether it's hormonal and mine was. Best of luck.

Hi tulip,
similar to you I was on long term AD's anyway and about 3 - 4 years ago started to get massive anxiety, I was at that point starting peri, having huge and irregular periods.Stopped altogether about 18 months ago. my anxiety has increased again over the last 6 months and I am having lots of night sweats. i dont get mood swings but would say anxiety and sweats are my main symptoms.
Im now 51, AD free and just want to see what is going on with my body without any drugs. I have started longterm psychotherapy.
I wondered if one were more likely to get menopausal anxiety if we already suffer from depression?

I would think so myid
ALso if prone to PMT or PND etc more likely to feel peri menopausal emotional symptoms

Hi muid, nice you to decide to have a longterm psychotherapy! Try not to look for extra stress and fear! Regarding your question, I think the opposite will happen. If you already know how you can handle your depression, your anxiety will pass without any more effort. :)