Oh my - thank you ladies for your frank and honest posts here. I’ve read them all and can SO relate to these stories.
I too suffer with extreme anxiety, rage, paranoia, feelings of inadequacy, etc. I’m 54 and peri.
Two years ago I began a new teaching job, part time to fit round my children who are at primary school. I was very excited about my new job, arranged a dog walker, a cleaner, and wrap around care for the children for a few days a week to ease things at home. It was a complete disaster, I was signed off with stress after 5 weeks and I handed my notice in before the end of my first term. The whole episode left me feeling like a failure and I’ve lost all my confidence. The worst part is I’ve always thought of myself as invincible, hard working and great at my job. I’ve been a successful teacher for many years, with increasing responsibility and spent many of those teaching years as a Head of Department. Now, as a peri menopausal woman I’m the opposite of that. After my recent experiences I know I’ll never teach again!
This menopause stage in life can be so challenging in so many ways!
Hugs to all, look after yourselves, life is for living and shouldn’t be an endurance test xx