The Interplay of Hormones and Hope: How Menopause Impacts Mental Health

Are menopause and mental health issues related? For some, the transition can bring significant changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, cognition, and overall mental well-being. But how can you tell what’s menopause, what’s a mental health condition, and when it’s time to seek help? In this episode, Gabe Howard talks with psychiatrist Dr. C. Neill Epperson, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and ADAA Member expert, about the complicated connection between menopause and mental health. Dr. Epperson explains the kinds of cognitive changes that can occur during menopause, why anxiety and cognitive overload can make symptoms worse, and what signs deserve further evaluation. The conversation also offers practical guidance for anyone who feels dismissed by a healthcare professional. Listeners will learn: why brain fog can happen during menopause when cognitive changes may need evaluation questions to ask your healthcare professional about menopause why you don't have to suffer in silence If you've noticed changes in your mood, anxiety, sleep, memory, or concentration during perimenopause or menopause, this conversation can help you understand what may be happening and what to discuss with your healthcare professional. Listen now!Special thanks to Vistagen for providing educational support for this episode. “Sister, you're not alone [...] Three million women go through menopause each year in the U.S. alone.” ~Dr. C. Neill Epperson, ADAA Member Expert Our guest, C. Neill Epperson, MD, is Professor and Robert Freedman Endowed Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Prior to this, she founded and directed the Penn Center for Women’s Behavioral Wellness and Penn PROMOTES at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a tenured Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology. Dr. Epperson earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina and completed her psychiatry training at Yale University School of Medicine. An expert in women’s reproductive and behavioral health, Dr. Epperson’s research has advanced understanding of the effects of gonadal steroids on brain function, reproductive status, and sex in biomedical research. She has also explored the impact of childhood adversity on hormonal responses and brain behavior. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications, her NIH-funded research spans more than two decades. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.