Hi , I've posted a few things over the last 2weeks nearly. Trying to figure out all these wiered feelings, emotions, sensations, thoughts worrying if I'm going mad, and is it the perimenopause...?? Everyone has been so lovely and supportive, and it is helping just knowing other women are experiencing the same problems or similar. But another of my weird and wonderfully horrible symptoms is I seem to be scared of most things, it sounds weird I know, but it's like all of a sudden things that wouldn't even enter my head, or you would just do so without thinking because it's just a normal part of your day, routine etc... All of a sudden becomes frightening to do, feel a nervousness or apprehension about doing something. And your mind jumps to thinking all kinds of weird and wonderful scenarios that might happen if you do it. Sounds redicolous I know and irrational, but it's like your mind runs away again with you and you just think something terrible will happen. Or just fearing been on your own, I'm scared to take the dogs out at dark because I'm convinced something horrible will happen or someone is lurking in the bushes. I even see my shadow and that freaks me out and scares me, and then I'm analysing why this is happening to me... Does anyone else have this, is this a possibility its hormone imbalance to?? As its terrifying me along with all the other symptoms. Or when I go to bed ill be thinking theres a creepy gost, or any noise and my hearts in my mouth and adrenalin pumping through my veins. I feel like a 2yr old again, its redicolous and don't understand what it happening... š¤šš
hi Rachael, itās pretty normal for the menopause! i was exactly like that. 3 years on im much improved, tho having trouble sleeping or at least getting to sleep. its your drop in estrogen causing the anxiety and apprehension. have you seen a doctor about it? help can be given, things do get better 
hi rachael!!! yes yes yes yes!!! everything you just wrote i feel the exact same way!!!
IT IS VERY HARD! i cant even go to the grocery store sometimes. i just avoid everything. i never have any travel going to work itās just everywhere else. So frustrating.
Rachel, Iāve experienced all what you just said. Itās the drop in estrogen like the others have said. It will get better with time but while you are in it it is very scary. Keep on this forum. It will help you tremendously hearing otherās stories. Ger plenty of rest, eat well, limit your alcohol, exercise and keep busy with friends, family and your hobbies. Hang on tight! Sending a big air hug!
Ive been living this for a good yr and a half now.
Itās worse with some women. Our brains are rewiring and itās not a party I ever expected to attend in my lifetime as I basically had it together into my fiftyish yrs.
Dint feel alone, itās crazy making, but you will slowly get through it.
Xoxo
Hey honey, I can totally relate to everything you are saying. Firstly, no way are you ridiculous! You cannot help what you are thinking. You canāt control it, if you could, you would choose, not to think that way. Itās scary feeling scared isnāt it? But the trick is to not fear what youāre thinking. Easier said then done. I have irrational fears and to put it bluntly I fear one of my loved ones, might die, and how I just ācouldnātā cope with that. Even, the language Iām using here is very ātellingā I write that I couldnāt cope that that. Almost, as though, my mind is already made or! So, I analyse that and conclude, Iām thinking that way since the menopause. This is definitely the menopause honey. A hormonal imbalance directly affects your mood. Thatās why you feel so fearful. Youāre not alone hun. Message me anytime and privately or if you prefer. Donna xxx
Hi sweetheart
I will keep this short
Yes its very normal.
This happened to me at the start of my peri.
I had a breakdown i thought i was losing my mind.
I had a 10 year peri hell.
Finding this site all those years ago saved my sanity.
Im now post meno by 2 years.
It hasnt got any better yet but
I believe when you start to realise it is hormones and you are not crazy you start to cope a little better.
I analysed everything
Dont!!!
Exactly as you describe i felt like a 2 year old.
Ive learned over the years to cope better
But i still get days where i still question it is hormones.
I think in the peri stage when you are still getting periods doctors add fuel to the fire by telling you its not hormones or your too young!!!
I was 40 at the start of peri.
Im 51 now.
Im a mother of 5 a wife a grandmother of 3 and work part time.
At my worst i quit working couldnt get out of bed.
I am not on meds chose to tough it out.
It is the hardest thing i have ever been through in my life.
Stay on this site the ladies will pull you through xxx
Just realised that wasnt short lol x
Hi Donna, thank you for the reply. Its good to knows other and yourself are experiencing this also. It is very scary, like you were explaining the fact that your talking like you are, and analysing your thoughts and feelings then scares you more. I also have that fear about loosing someone close and not been able to cope. But I have already lost the love of my life 4years ago. And felt like I couldnāt go on, I was torn to pieces, my life literally fell apart around me. But somehow I clawed my way back. I know Iāll never be the same, but I started to live again and enjoy somethings, but it is really hard to move forward. You also feel guilty that they canāt enjoy anymore and you are. But I came to the conclusion that I donāt have a choice. Iām still here and he had to go and that decision was taken away from us. But I had to carry on for my daughter also. But I to have a massive fear of loosing anyone close to meā¦ And also I have developed a fear of feeling like this forever, terrified will i ever feel normal again, will I always be in this much turmoil mentally with all this anxiety, terrifying panic attacks, derealization, fear and scary thoughts, as its so hard to deal with and exhausting. That I feel scared and developed a fear of not been able to cope with it either. And then get scary thoughts of would you ever do anything if you couldnāt cope. This then terrifies holy crap out of me then Iām having an anxiety, panic attack that I might get so low or depressed feeling like this I would do something silly. God only knows I wouldnāt and hate the thought, and would never want to do that, but it terrifies me the thoughts again, because they pop in my head, then that disturbs you and gets the whole fear thing going again. So I totally understand how you feel toā¦
Letās just pray we all make it in one piece and come out the other sideā¦
Sending you healing hugs xxxx
And thank you again for your support xx
Thank you for your message, doesnāt matter if its long or short lol 
anything helps at the moment, Reading other womenās accounts of their experiences.
So thank you for your message.
Big hugs and hope you feel better soon also. Xx
Thank you for your message and support. It all helps hearing all of your stories. 
Thank you so much for your support xx
Hi, thank you for your message and support. It definitely helps talking to everyone and hearing from real women who have experienced the same. And come out the other side or getting better.
Big hugs xx
Hi, thank you for the reply.
Itās hard to believe isnāt it, knowing that itās hormones that can cause so much pain, upset and emotional turmoil with all the weird symptoms.
Just pray it will get better soon alsoā¦ 
Big hugs xx
Hi rachael, very normal during this time. I went through thisā¦our smoke detectors once went off in the middle of the nightā¦scared the hell out of meā¦false alarm, dead battery or something. Well, I was up for the next couple of nights so jumpy and anticipating it happening again that I asked my husband to replace all of themā¦they were only a year old. Also, my husband would burn toast and I thought the house was on fire. That has passed now, but it was freaky. In fact last month they went off during the dayā¦I did not even give it a second thought! Think about how sleep deprived most of us are that alone causes tremendous stress! take good care!
unfortunately its normal. dont worry. I was a happy go lucky happy high functioning mom of 3 kids who has become a nervous anxious mess. nightmares every night that something terrible will happen to my kids, wake up in a panic every morning. i have to come to hate nightime when this used to be my favorite thing to relax with my kids in bed. night sweats and hot flashes early in morning seem to make symptoms worse. hang in there. i have had so many wacky symptoms that have come and gone. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
thanks rachael, yes itās horrendous. I swapped my anti anxiety meds from 100 mg sertraline to 25 mg prozac, which is not enough now i am working again. thinking of going back on sertralineā¦i put on weight on it but at least it stopped the anxiety! 3 yrs post meno and still need meds. is anyone else in this position so long after meno? also im a chronic migraine sufferer, they stopped on sertraline, another reason why i think i may go back on it.
Hey hun, thank you so much for your reply. You are amazingly courageous! To battle everything you described is bloody hard work! I have to agree, that itās psychologically draining. Itās exhausting, both physically and mentally! Everyday is a test of endurance. And then youāre dreading the next time itāll happen. again. You are on high alert. So much so that even the sound of the front door knocking, can render you hopeless and helpless. A nervous, gibbering wreck!!! Rachel, Iām so sorry you lost the love of your life. Thatās really sad. How does one cope with that? That must be the toughest thing ever! You have endured so much, and with that must have much pain and suffering. Unfortunately, us humans have sad experiences like yours that we have to try our best to cope, but the grief is so hard to handle. We donāt have an instruction manual telling us how to deal with the grief, and so in your case, it is manifesting itself in the way you describe. No manual, and so, you are left to your own devices. You are left to just get on with things. You see other people, and you think how can they be walking around like "normal?"like nothing bad as happened. And you feel like screaming 
. Iāve lost my partner, my life doesent feel normal!!! Swipe that smile off your faces!!! My life is falling apart! you are totally doing the right thing. Reaching out to people. Asking for help, accepting help. Surround yourself with people who care and love you deeply. I donāt think you would harm yourself honey, your love for your daughter is stronger and will prevail. I know you donāt feel strong, right now. But, youāre stronger than you think Rachael. Youāve got this far, and as time passes you will go further and further into your future. Youāre here to stay honey! Brilliant! Sending you big hugs, Donna xxx
Yes, there are days when I fear I will go mad from fear of things. Always thinking something bad is about to happen. I have no choice but to pray and push on through, since I am single. I used to be fearless. Thought nothing about being out after dark, going to the movies alone, traveling alone, etc. I have a friend who is going out of town for Thanksgiving, alone. Sheās so excited(sheās 49 and had a hysterectomy years ago).
I also find myself feeling lonely and wanting a mate. I used could give a crap about having boyfriend/husband.
You will get better. This used to be every day for me, now I have good days and bad days. I cherish all of them but especially the good ones. You are not ridiculous, you are normal and we are here for you. (((hugs)).
You are welcome
There is amazing support here on this forum.
Just pure love and support
We will move onward, and get through.
your never aloneš