Keeping your sanity during Menopause

The psychological impact of menopause.

By Dr. Natasha Khullar Kumar

Menopause is a time for dramatic changes in a woman’s body. The depletion of estrogen in the body leads not only to physical symptoms but also to psychological symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and crying spells- in short, menopause is like being in constant PMS.

According to recent research, nearly 20% of women going through menopause will also experience clinical depression. The role of a mental health professional becomes extremely important in helping women identify and deal with this.

It is recommended that all women must receive at least one screening session with a mental health professional to help differentiate between depression and ‘moodiness’ and to deal with the impact of these incapacitating psychological symptoms.

Dr. Natasha is a neuropsychologist and has been with Medanta since 2010. Before this, she was at VIMHANS hospital where she set up their Neurorehabilitation center. She has been trained in the UK and has worked as a neuropsychologist with the National Health Services.

She has recently been given the title Chartered Member British Psychological Society(Cpsychol) by the British Psychological Society which is given to the psychologists with the highest level of technical competence.