![]() Coupled with the demands of mid-life, numerous women I see end up turning to alcohol as a way of coping.’Ĭandice Mason made a point of putting down her glass of wine when she discovered the alcohol was making her feel worse, when she went through early menopause at the age of 39. I speak to many of my women who are struggling with issues around alcohol and other addictions.’ĭr Judith Mohring, consultant psychiatrist, adds: ‘A lot of women find themselves depressed, anxious, and with variable symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as anything other than menopause. Dr Louise Newson, GP, menopause specialist and founder of the balance menopause app, says: ‘It deeply upsets me to see that women are suffering unnecessarily, but sadly I’m not surprised by our survey findings. Several woman told the research that they drink to escape. As we delve into the complexities surrounding alcohol, women, and menopause, a proactive approach to health becomes pivotal.’ There is a spike in suicide ideation and death by suicide around the age of menopause. ‘Menopausal women are vulnerable to low mood and depressive feelings which can be exacerbated by any level of alcohol intake. But one of the most common concerns I see in clients is the toll on mental health. There is a perilous relationship between heavy drinking and the onset of obesity, coupled with the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis – which can be a side effect of menopause – and may increase the chances of type 2 diabetes. ‘Alcohol for some menopausal women can trigger hot flashes, may increase the risks of various cancers, and can cause harmful interactions with common medications – the consequences are far-reaching. Lauren Chiren says many women use alcohol to try ‘switch off’ from the stresses of day to day life (Picture: R Parson) ‘I have spoken to clients who will think about whether they have a bottle of wine in the fridge on their way home from work, or if there is ice in the freezer for their G&T, rather than think about preparing a nutritious meal,’ she says. ‘It just becomes their normal. Sadly, it does little to help. Our cortisol spikes, our insulin goes crazy and the rest of our hormones are impacted causing so many disruptions.’ĭuring midlife, women often feel stressed and time poor and they are consumed by looking after everyone else, so it becomes very normal to reach for the bottle, Lauren adds. ‘Except – it makes everything a lot worse. ‘I coined it being a social alcoholic at one point when I clicked just how many women were doing this – caffeine to get going and alcohol to stop. ‘It is so normal to switch off each night (or earlier) with a glass of something,’ she tells Metro. Menopause coach Lauren Chiren sees this problem with her clients frequently. ![]() It’s easier to isolate yourself than get help – that needs to change.’ ‘There’s so much shame attached to both drinking and the menopause, even today. ![]() I didn’t know how to cope – or that I had a valid medical reason to go to the doctor for help. ![]() I’d recently lost my mum and I think the grief and hormonal changes had combined into a sort of mental chaos. Hormonal changes during the menopause can completely change how a woman’s body reacts to alcohol (Picture: Shutterstock / Tero Vesalainen) She now works as a nutritional specialist, helping men and women make lifestyle changes to recover from trauma. Since she quit drinking, Lindsey reckons she’s saved around £48,000 which could have otherwise gone on wine. It was only then that I sought out recovery and began the healing process.’ But then I heard an interview on Radio 5 Live, about a young girl who found her alcoholic mum dead. I feared the same thing would happen to my daughter. She eventually isolated herself as much as possible at home to avoid hiding her drinking habit from colleagues and friends.īut her daughter witnessed her mother’s transformation – and was the sole reason she managed to escape the addiction. Lindsey worked at an event company when her alcohol addiction took hold. She was having anxiety attacks and unable to drive as she was so nervous. I probably spent hundreds each week on alcohol.’ ‘For nearly six months, I was drinking three bottles of white wine a day. Lindsey was ‘close to death’ as a result of her spiralling drinking habit (Picture: Lindsey Beveridge)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |