Jeanne I had overwhelming anxiety when my meno stuff blew up - I'd been anxious for large periods of my life but I managed it. However, the hormonal changes at menopause cause anxiety too - so for me I would say I developed generalised anxiety disorder - it was horrendous. So just because you feel anxious, do know that it might not all be down to your thoughts - it might be physiological changes that are causing the anxiety to heighten as well.
Re: death and morbid thoughts - I've heard someone say that menopausal gloom and doom is the worst - so again, there might be a hormonal component to what you are experiencing. It might not all be in the mind.
Having said that, life is precious and, as I've aged, I've realised this more and more. When I freak out about my life - at the moment things are very very uncertain and precarious - I remind myself of all the extra days I've been given that others haven't had - I know of one person who was killed in their 40's in a very tragic way and another person who died as an adolescent - so his life was really cut short. So for me, trying to focus on the good things - even very small things - really helps at the moment.
Since my breakdown I have barely listened to the news or read a newspaper - and it's really helped me as it's made me realise how much news reported is just bad news. Instead, I focus on trying to be kind to myself and to others in my life - and that gives me hope to carry on each day.
Like others have suggested, it probably would be helpful for you to see a Dr - can you found out whether there is one who specialises in menopause at the practice you are registered at? Either by looking on their webpage online or calling them and finding out? That would be a small baby step to take.
Just remember - you're not alone in what you are going through.
Hugs xxx
