Since the spring of 2020 when the world realized it was okay to start talking about mental health, people have been identifying their own struggles in record numbers. This has led to enormous demands in mental health support sources. As demand has increased, many have turned to resources online or in books, including many self guided journeys provided by professionals. People have found comfort and resiliency in workbooks they can go through at their own pace in the comfort of their own homes. This book provides timely and much-needed guidance for women in their mental and emotional journey through menopause.
Over 57 Million Women Are Having the Time of Their Lives or Want to Be
Menopausal transition most often starts between the ages of 45-55 and lasts from 7-12 years. In 2021, women lived to, on average, 79 years of age, and that number means that more than 57 million women in the US alone are in that post menopausal stage. Women can be in menopause (peri and post) for 25-35 years. In total, women can spend more than a third of their life in this era of hormonal and emotional upheaval. However, rather than viewing it as “the beginning of the end,” this time can be an opportunity. They finally have the time, space and self given permission to emerge as their own best selves. There is an enormous demand for support in this journey as women start to identify that a change is happening within themselves. This book can help with this journey.
Relatable Advice From a Therapist Who's Been There
In the 18 years I have been a mental health professional, I have spent more than 11,000+ hours in sessions with clients seeking help to process their life events. For every client I see, there are 10 more that haven’t picked up the phone to book a session. In any sound clinical approach, therapists seek to help clients identify their struggles and then help them process those struggles. There is always work to be done outside of sessions and this book helps with their learning and processing.Through years of talking with others, bearing witness to their struggle, I have compiled a menu of definitions, tools, aids and approaches to help others with their emotional processing through menopause.
The Book & The Menopause movement
The menopausal transition (or perimenopause) most often begins between ages 45 and 55, with the average age of 47.5 being the onset of symptoms and 51 years old as starting menopause (12 months without a menstrual period). It usually lasts about seven years, but can be as long as 14 years. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition.
This is not a science or health book only about the symptoms, however, some of that information will be addressed to clarify what one could be experiencing. This book identifies, acknowledges and validates one’s experience going through this transition through the means of education and mental health nurturing. While the psychological effects of this transition can be positive for some, for many it is a time of upheaval which then can lead to mental health challenges.
In fact, one study showed that women are two to four times more likely to experience a major depressive episode during menopause than at other times in their lives. (Chicago OBGYN)
During menopause, it’s common to experience mood changes such as irritability, sadness, lack of motivation, aggressiveness, problems focusing, stress, difficulty concentrating, and depression. Much like constant premenstrual syndrome (PMS), these effects can cause emotional strain. (Mental Health UK)
With 71 million women in peri- to post-menopause stages in the US alone, all of these women likely know someone who could use a supportive book to help them in their journey. People in helping professions such as therapists, doctors, nurses can recommend this book to their clients or patients. Family members could give this book to their relative that is going through this process. Friends could get this book for each other. I plan on making an online companion course to compliment and use the book.