Hormonal psychosis

[BeHazelFox]

I'm 51 on HRT trying to manage my symptoms. Joint aches, hot flushes, morning anxiety. But I feel like I'm losing myself. My mother and grandmother were both sectioned during menopause. My grandmother unfortunately never left the pysch ward, my mum is at home but was never the same and on lots of medication. I'm so scared I'm heading the same way. I've recently upped my HRT and arranged therapy but that fear is still there.

My mum got sectioned because psychosis in her menopause. They put her on medication but she stopped them after she was released. Luckily the psychosis didn't come back and she is doing fine at 76.

I feel like this isn't talked about enough, its terrifying to feel like you can't control your mind. I am just about hanging on, no hrt, but good sleep routines, no alcohol, cbt therapy and being aware of my thoughts, and using breathing exercises, all helps

I think you should take heart from the fact you are on HRT and presumably your mum and Gran weren't.

In those days many women were suffering from all kinds of mental health issues linked directly to menopause but it was never recognised.

My Mum's generation were often put on Prozac, Valium, strong sleeping tablets etc for 'anxiety', when now they'd be offered HRT.

I think you need to try to dismiss your fear of being like them.

Can you do other things alongside HRT such as yoga? Daily breathing exercises are supposed to be very good. Mindfulness apps? Getting outside for a walk every day?

Are you happy generally with your work, friendships, etc?

If you need help, MIND has a helpline but also advice on their website on how to deal with these emotions.

Thank you for the replies it's reassuring to have how I feel validated.

My anxiety and mood are worse in the morning.
I do have a very stressful and busy job but weirdly I'm fine at work as I don't have time to ruminate.
I've got some counselling arranged for past trauma that I've never really dealt with.
I just don't feel like myself, I don't cook, clean or socialise anymore.
I hate shopping for food or clothes just no interest in anything. I literally work and sleep.
My mum did try HRT but stopped not sure why.
I'm hoping changing my HRT from Everol Sequi to Everol 75mg and utrogeston will alleviate some of my symptoms. I was doing ok up until April and all of a sudden my hot flushes came back and dreadful hip pain.
I'm not very good at taking care of myself and probably should have booked to see my GP sooner. I'm definitely going to be more proactive with my health from now on as this recent spiral has really scared me.

Do you live alone or do you have family and children?

Could you invest in some self-care - whatever makes you feel better, whether that's some 'pampering' like having your hair done, new clothes, or going out somewhere on your own (or with a friend) to do something that interests you? (not sure what but galleries, exhibitions, cinema, walks etc.)

@JinglingSpringbells Im a single parent, my youngest is at home but he's off to uni in September.
You're right about the self care not something I'm very good at, probably because I've been a carer most of my life I tend to not prioritise my health.
I've been reading about estrogen affecting cortisol levels in the morning which would explain my anxiety.
It's helpful to know that there are biological reasons but the morning dread is overwhelming makes me not want to wake up.

My sister was sectioned recently. Nobody suggested menopause throughout the process, despite her being 49.

My grandmother had 'a nervous breakdown', my mum became so bad tempered and vile that she was a different person. Neither of them had any idea that they had menopause symptoms.

Crucially none of them were on HRT. I had awful perimenopause symptoms and luckily got myself HRT just in time I think. I've added testosterone recently and feel like my old self. Just to add my symptoms weren't fully alleviated until I went on 100 Evorel patch, it made a big difference.

@Movinghouseatlast ive heard that the NHS only prescribe testosterone for libido. I'm single so probably wouldn't be able to get it.

@Movinghouseatlast I'm sorry to hear about your sister. That's so sad, it really angers me that so many women have had to suffer with this and hormones are the cause most of the time.

I've had psychosis in the past, they told me it can be triggered by stress- physical or emotional - so I try to do calming and relaxing things. Warm baths, mindfulness, reading, plenty of sleep/ rest.

I had similar symptoms and they were caused by progesterone. I couldn't tolerate Evorel Sequi or the Mirena, I honestly thought I'd have to be sectioned! Hopefully changing to Utrogestan will help you feel more stable mood wise 🙂

I wonder if you changed to Oestrogel you could try dividing the dose to morning and evening? I've not heard anything about estrogen and early morning cortisol (meaning estrogen creates anxiety or reduces it?) so can't comment on that.

If you recognise the issue around not putting yourself first or your health at least that's one step towards trying to change it, perhaps?

You don't have to be married or in a relationship to have a sex life!
You don't even have to go into details about anything like that, I assume.

You are allowed a libido if you are single. They wouldn't even ask about that anyway.

I think your first port of call is to increase your oestrogen.

I'm hoping so. I do think that the norethisterone may be contributing to how I feel.
I couldn't take the contraceptive pill because it caused me to have major mood swings.
I feel better just sharing on here, I've felt so low but just put a brave face on for everyone.
Thanks again everyone for your replies, it's helped me realise I need to tackle this and not be scared of asking for help.

Just thought I'd give an update. After 2 months on 75 evorel patches and utrogeston for 12 days, with vagifem for VA I didn't realise I had only symptom was watery discharge. I'm feeling like my old self. My anxiety and intrusive thoughts have gone. I wake up feeling optimistic and look forward to things.
I've had to deal with some conflicts and stress at work that would have had me an emotional wreck but I kept my council and kept my cool.
It may have been the norethisterone in the sequi patch or the fact I needed more oestrogen.
I'm just glad my GP listened to me and helped me when I felt so low.

Quick update, I'm anaemic. I've got quite a large polyp on my cervix that needs removing. Talking therapy think I may be autistic. No wonder I've been feeling crap. Thankfully though I've finally found a GP who doesn't just dish out citalopram.

glad to hear you are getting some help.

OP, so pleased and relieved for you. Well done on getting yourself sorted.

I'm so happy for you!! 🥳 I'm just about to start the exact same regime and I've been petrified that the Utrogestan will send me over the edge! Feeling much more confident in starting it now!

@JinglingSpringbells told me to try and change my mindset and go for it too. She is definitely the menopause oracle on MN so thank you to both of you 😘

Just to add, I'm also autistic/ADHD which was only discovered whilst getting a diagnosis for my daughter! Unfortunately I was put on Venlafaxine 8 years ago for anxiety which I now know was part peri part undiagnosed ND so I've got the joy of trying to come off those eventually but I'm gonna get this HRT stuff sorted and then deal with that 🙂