Perimenopause & Mental Health: “What Fresh Hell Is This?”

Perimenopause aka What Fresh Hell is This?

If you’ve found yourself crying at the drop of a hat, snapping at your partner for breathing “wrong,” or wondering if you’re slowly unraveling you are definitely not alone. In fact, you might be in the middle of something completely normal (but rarely talked about): Perimenopause.

And if your daily mantra has become: “What fresh hell is this?” You’re in the right place.

What Is Perimenopause—And Why Is It Messing With My Head?

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, often beginning in your 30s or 40s. Hello my Gen X and elder millennial queens.  While most people associate it with hot flashes or irregular periods, the mental and emotional symptoms often hit even harder — and earlier. 

The perimenopause transition can last a DECADE!  

Common emotional and psychological perimenopause symptoms include:

• Anxiety (especially if it’s new or worsening)

• Mood swings that feel impossible to predict or control

• Depression or flatness

• Brain fog, forgetfulness, and loss of focus

• Irritability or emotional sensitivity that seems disproportionate

These changes aren’t “just in your head.” They're very real responses to fluctuating hormone levels, stress load, and often, a lack of support or understanding from those around you.

You’re Not Losing Your Mind. You’re in Transition.

Perimenopause can feel like emotional whiplash. One moment, you’re coping. The next, you’re unraveling over something tiny and wondering, Who even am I right now?

That inner chaos can be deeply unsettling — especially if you’ve always seen yourself as strong, capable, and in control. And it’s exactly why mental health support during this stage of life can be transformational.

Therapy Can Help You Feel Like You Again

As a therapist specializing in perimenopause mental health, Dr Tera offers both individual therapy and group therapy designed to support you through this complex, frustrating,and often confusing chapter.

Therapy gives you space to:

• Make sense of what’s happening emotionally and physically

• Learn tools to manage anxiety, irritability, and mood swings

• Untangle identity shifts as roles, priorities, and relationships evolve

• Stop white-knuckling it alone — and feel heard, validated, and supported

Whether you're newly experiencing symptoms or have been silently struggling for years, therapy is a safe place to ask the question:“What fresh hell is this?”…and begin getting real answers, tools, and relief.

About My Perimenopause Therapy Offerings

• Individual Therapy: Online, secure, individual support tailored to your unique symptoms, lifestyle, and emotional needs. Whether you're navigating mood swings, burnout, grief, or big life transitions, we can work together to help you reclaim balance and clarity.

• Perimenopause Support Group: A 6 week structured closed group with a max of 10 participants in an accessible welcoming space for women to connect, share, and learn. These sessions blend education, emotional processing, and community—because sometimes the most healing words are “Me too.”

• I can provide individual and group therapy to women in 43 states via PSYPACT + Montana

Let’s Talk. Really. No Topic off Limits.

Perimenopause is not just a physical experience, it’s a full-body, full-mind experience and you don’t have to go through it alone.

If you’re ready to stop wondering what’s wrong with you and start understanding what’s happening to you, therapy can be the first step toward feeling grounded again.

Reach out today to schedule a complementary discovery call for individual or group therapy.  email drtera@mindfulpathpsy.org or text/call (yes people still do that) 435-610-1015

Just because this phase of life actually feels like fresh hell, but you don’t have to walk through it alone.