Just when you think your life is going along fine and dandy, menopause throws an enormous wrench in the works. The physical symptoms are frustrating and the emotional effects even more so. In The Menopause Makeover Step Five is about Getting Off the Emotional Roller Coaster. Authors Staness Jonekos and Dr. Wendy Klein teamed up to share their knowledge and help you regain your sanity.

The Menopause Makeover Step Five Getting Off the Emotional Roller Coaster
Maybe you have been a fairly rational and calm person all of your life. Suddenly you no longer feel as though you are in control of your emotions. You cry or scream for seemingly nothing, appearing to overreact. Or maybe you have tended to be on the moody side but now you are confused and maybe even frightened by your emotions.

You notice that your memory isn’t what it used to be. In the past you could recall every word of your favorite band’s songs but now have trouble remembering where you put your keys. Perhaps you feel as though you have lost your spark and feel less cheery than in the past or you might even be suffering from depression. You know you don’t feel like yourself but are not quite sure what to do about it. You may also believe that admitting emotional turmoil is a sign of weakness.

How will Step Five help me?
Step Five of The Menopause Makeover helps you sort out the various emotions you are experiencing and putting them into perspective. There are two important items about this section to note:

*Menopause does play a role in mood swings as your hormone levels change and there is scientific evidence as to how hormones affect your moods
*Life and stress play even larger roles as most women going through menopause are also in some of the most hectic years of their lives – you may be juggling family (children and parents), career, relationship, health and financial matters.

Step Five of The Menopause Makeover gives you the chance to assess what is causing your mood swings and how to deal with feeling as though you have lost your mind. Midlife changes, social expectations for women, too many stressors, and hormones may explain erratic emotions. The better news is that there are ways to help you eliminate or reduce stress and bring manageability back to your life.

One word of caution if you are suffering from depression or believe you might be. Seek professional help for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Prolonged periods of sadness with little or no apparent cause need more than just a few deep breaths. Your doctor can work with you to help you feel better as you undergo menopause.

Challenges of Step Five Getting Off the Emotional Roller Coaster
You may find it difficult to admit to needing help or to talk about how you are feeling. The social stigma of mood swings and depression for menopausal women has provided comedians with a lot of material, not all of it very funny.

Many of us try to hide what is happening to us or dismiss feelings as no big deal. But the longer you feel hopeless and helpless during menopause, the greater the chances are for negative outcomes during the postmenopausal years.

Approach this step knowing that your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health. If you are being pulled in many directions because of your many obligations it is time to assess what is really important to you. Your health depends on it. Using the tools in The Menopause Makeover will not only improve how you feel emotionally but also help you as you work on the other Menopause Makeover steps.

Step Five of The Menopause Makeover is one of the shorter chapters in the book but one of the most important. Getting a handle on your emotions is more than just putting on a brave face or pretending that everything is fine. Your overall health is tied to your emotions and mood swings which can leave you drained. Now is the perfect time to reclaim your life and your sanity!

Editor’s note: Working though this step is challenging because it almost feels like admitting weakness or defeat. Being an emotional person means trying to separate what is my behavior and what can really be attributed to menopause. One day you feel perfectly in control, the next day the exact opposite. Learning to find ways to cope with emotions and life’s stressors is a tough part of The Menopause Makeover but one worth doing.


**Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. provided this review copy of The Menopause Makeover to me completely free of charge.**
The Menopause Makeover, Staness Jonekos with Wendy Klein, M.D., Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., New York, 2010, 302 pp.
Please visit www.menopausemakeover.com