Why Anxiety Feels So Much Worse in Perimenopause — And What Your Body Is Actually Trying to Tell You
Anxiety disorders in midlife women are significantly underdiagnosed — and in my clinical experience, frequently misattributed.
What presents as generalised anxiety, panic disorder, or health anxiety in a woman between 40 and 55 is, in a meaningful proportion of cases, directly linked to the neurobiological changes of perimenopause — changes that are rarely explained to patients, and even more rarely addressed at their root.
The mechanism is well-established: fluctuating oestrogen destabilises amygdala regulation, declining progesterone reduces GABAergic activity, and chronic sleep disruption — itself a perimenopausal symptom — increases amygdala reactivity by measurable degrees. The result is a nervous system that is genuinely more sensitised, with a narrowed window of tolerance and diminished capacity for self-regulation.
In my latest article, I write about this through both a clinical and personal lens — drawing on polyvagal theory, compassion-focused therapy, ACT and somatic approaches to explain not just why perimenopause amplifies anxiety, but what actually works to address it.
I'm sharing this for practitioners, allied health professionals, and anyone supporting women through this transition — because the more we understand the neuroscience, the more effectively we can help.
Why Peace, Calm and Tranquility Feel So Far Away During Perimenopause — And How to Find Your Way Back
You are not burnt out because you're weak. You're not anxious because something is wrong with you. And you're not losing your mind.
You are in the middle of one of the most significant hormonal transitions of your life — and your body is asking, loudly and clearly, for something different.
The craving for peace and calm that so many women feel during perimenopause is not indulgence. It is not a sign that you can't cope. It is your nervous system's intelligence speaking — and in this article, I want to help you finally understand what it is saying, why it is saying it, and how to find your way back to the quiet that has always been waiting for you inside.
We Have Never Been More Connected — And Never More Alone
Twenty-five years of clinical practice. Thousands of people across every stage of life. And one thing has shifted more dramatically than anything else I have witnessed in this profession.
Not the diagnoses. Not the treatments. Not the presenting problems.
The loneliness.
Not the loneliness of people who are isolated — but the loneliness of people who are surrounded. This is what is driving it.
The Power of Words: Shaping Reality with Insights from Don Miguel Ruiz and Bruce Lipton
The insights from Don Miguel Ruiz and Bruce Lipton provide a compelling case for the transformative power of words. By recognising and harnessing this power, we can consciously shape our personal and collective realities. Words are not just a means of communication but a tool for creation, capable of manifesting change, healing, and growth. In the dance of existence, where every word counts, let us choose our words wisely, creating a reality that reflects the highest possibilities of human experience.
The Pitfall of Spiritual Bypassing: A Journey to Wholeness
Spirituality, psychology, and mindfulness are all powerful tools that can greatly enhance our well-being. However, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfall of spiritual bypassing and actively work to navigate it. By staying mindful, engaging with our psychological health, and integrating spirituality in a healthy and supportive way, we can create a journey to wholeness that is truly transformative.
Internal Family Systems Therapy - Is this the right treatment for you?
IFS therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the internal parts of an individual's psyche. It is based on the idea that the human mind is composed of multiple "parts" or sub-personalities that interact with each other. IFS therapy helps individuals to identify and understand their internal parts, and develop a compassionate and non-judgmental relationship with them. Through this process, individuals can work through difficult emotions and past traumas, and develop a greater sense of wholeness and self-acceptance.
Embracing the Shadow: Self-Compassion and Therapy as Allies on the Path of Self-Discovery
The human psyche is a vast landscape that holds both light and darkness. Within each of us resides what psychologist Carl Jung termed the "shadow" – the hidden, unacknowledged aspects of ourselves. These shadow parts, encompassing our deepest fears, insecurities, and suppressed emotions, often play a significant role in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. However, rather than fearing or rejecting these shadow aspects, we can embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery by embracing them.
Embracing Acceptance and Self-Compassion: How ACT Therapy Can Transform Your Experience with Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion that can manifest in various forms, from social anxiety to generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Many people struggle to manage their anxious feelings, which can sometimes be overwhelming and debilitating. However, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a different perspective on managing anxiety. This therapy emphasises the importance of acceptance, self-compassion, and mindfulness to transform one's relationship with anxiety. In this blog post, we will explore the principles of ACT and how they can help you develop a healthier and more compassionate relationship with yourself and your anxiety.
The benefits of mindfulness, according to science
According to research, mindfulness offers significant health and psychological benefits, from reducing anxiety and depression, to boosting concentration.
Surviving lockdown with your kids
Since the start of the Coronavirus’ spread we’ve all started to take measures to slow the speed of transmission. Taking into consideration failed social distancing measures in other countries we have been told to prepare for lockdown measures to be put in place. Which means schoolchildren may need to be kept home from school.
Tips on speaking with your kids about the Coronavirus
It seems like it was only yesterday that we were listening to advice on how to speak to our children about anxieties they may be facing about climate change during the catastrophic bushfires.
Today, we are facing an unprecedented battle against Coronavirus. As parents, we may be feeling confused about how to discuss and address COVID-19 with our children. If you are worried about the psychological impact this may be having on your children you are not alone.
Managing Anxiety over COVID-19
Since the start of this year, we have witnessed the unfolding of an unprecedented health issue around the world. As Australia begins to take measures to contain risk and protect our health and wellbeing, it is understandable that many of us will be experiencing an increase in anxiety and worry.
Teen Depression
Teenage angst and cynicism is often regarded a normal passage through which the adolescent passes. However, we also know that a growing number of adolescents have significant symptoms of depression and anxiety and rarely ask for or receive proper and effective treatment. Parents can become very confused over signs of normal developmental mood swings and signs that something more serious may be going on. To complicate things further, teens are also at times confused about their moods as well.
Is my loved one depressed or anxious? The subtle signs you may not have heard of..
I get a tonne of questions from loved ones regarding the subtle signs of depression and anxiety . Commonly we are aware of the more tell tale signs, but concerned loved ones are worried that they may be missing more subtle cues and failing to respond appropriately.
A parent’s lament. Equality is not sameness, justice doesn’t look the same for all.
My daughter left me once again this morning to begin a new school year. I was a little sad to lose her to school again. I quite enjoy the days we can take a lazy, slow breakfast before heading out for a wonder or play without too much concern for the ‘clock’.
Breaking up is hard to do… Tips to survive a breakup.
It is fitting that I finally got around to writing my new post while on retreat in the idyllic northeast coast of Bali. It takes me by surprise how cathartic travelling can be. I was definitely craving some healing and spiritual enlightenment leading up to our arrival.
What neuroscience has revealed about Wellbeing, Flourishing and Mindfulness
Dr Richard Davidson and his team have discovered that wellbeing and happiness is a skill that can be cultivated. For those of you suffering from depression, anxiety and stress, the good news is that your brain can be rewired and shaped to promote greater wellbeing, happiness and health and increase your resilience to adversity.
Self-esteem or self-worth? A few thoughts.
Self-esteem is what you feel positively about or like about yourself. High self-esteem doesn’t always equate to high self worth. It must feel nice to have many qualities about yourself you like but this type of self acceptance is conditional. It’s conditional on maintaining the qualities you like. What happens, for example if one of these qualities changes or isn’t able to be maintained – your self-approval rating goes down and you then struggle to accept yourself.
5 Things You Can Do To Get Happier TODAY
Many happiness researchers have discovered that about 60% of your happiness comes from things that are within your control. The other 40%… well… that is influenced by genetic/personality and contextual factors – neither of which you or I can do much about. But here’s some tips to give you some control over the stuff you can do something about!!