Emotional Symptoms of Mid Life or Perimenopause 

Many symptoms that occur around the time of perimenopause ( the 2-10 years leading up to the last period) are more to do with the passage into second adulthood and the transition into your authentic self rather than physical symptoms caused by menopause.  The fact that this transition happens around the same time as menopause leads many women (and their partners) to believe these symptoms are caused by raging hormones. 

Symptoms of the mid life journey into second adulthood. 

• Depression
• Tiredness
• Panic attacks
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Emotional rollercoaster
• Dissatisfied with relationship/family/work/career
• Feeling invisible/no one cares
• Feeling alone
• Feeling unattractive and passed your ‘use by date’
• Aches and pains
• Vagueness
• Feeling on edge all the time

Many women try to work harder to get them through this tough time but there comes a time when you just can’t do that anymore.  There comes a time when you have no choice but to stop and take that internal journey to yourself. 

Unless we take the time to grieve our losses, re-examine our values and heal our past pain we will not be able to move into the next powerful stage of our life.  We have spent many years developing a way of living that no longer seems to work for us. We have the choice of now going inward and finding our authentic self and moving into our second adulthood with passion and personal power.

Gail Sheehy in her book passages (page 145) says “Those who successfully navigate the passage into the Age of Mastery will be much less concerned with proving themselves. Life goes on, but the possibilities and rewards are beyond anything we have anticipated. It is part of the human experience that we have never had before in any significant numbers”.

If we choose to avoid this stage by medicating ourselves, by avoidance, or by trying to work harder we will find it more and more difficult to have a fulfilling life.

 When we find our passion and our purpose we will feel a confidence and direction that was lacking for most of us in our younger days.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by yourself and your life then there is help out there.  We have programmes to help you through this time and to you’re your purpose and your passion.

Contact Pamela Bird pambird@cameocoaching.com.au