Menopause symptom management with CBT
CBT as a tool to managing through menopause
כנס מאי 2022
Menopause is a time of significant change and transition for women. The changes impact almost every facet of a woman's life including physical, emotional, cognitive (brain function), social, sexual and occupational. For many women, change is associated with feelings of tension and uncertainty as the unknown of what lies ahead may be uncomfortable.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) provides many practical and efficient tools that a woman can use to navigate through this transition to better cope with the challenges. CBT explores the impact of one's thoughts and behaviors on feelings, and the interplay between the three factors. When applied to menopause, the way a woman understands and interprets the changes associated with this period of her life will greatly impact her way of responding and subsequently feeling.
A woman who is apprehensive and fearful may be full of dread and worry about this period. Alternatively, a woman who has minimal information beyond "during menopause women experience hot flashes" may be anxious by the unexplained changes in her body or mood. In contrast, a woman who has identified positive role models for this transition and understands the many therapies available to her may be curious and even feel empowered about what lies ahead.
During middle age, the roles a woman has played in her life as mother, daughter, friend, and partner are in flux. When combined with physical symptoms, a woman is likely to experience significant stress. CBT enables a women to identify useful strategies to manage these stressors. It has been empirically proven that stress exacerbates menopause symptoms including hot flashes and sleep disturbances. Therefore, by helping decrease a woman's level of stress, she will be able to lessen the discomfort of some of the menopause symptoms.
Romy Engel Ph.D
Romy is a licensed health psychologist in New York (2000) and Israel (2007) and an expert and supervisor in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). She also combines various additional approaches, including mindfulness and emotion focused therapy.
She supports women in seeking optimal emotional and physical well-being. This commitment includes increasing self awareness of unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaving as well as stress management.
