Survey of over-50s women finds almost two in three struggle with mental health | Mental health
Two in three women over 50 in the UK are struggling with their mental health due to menopause, relationship breakdowns and changes to their appearance, a survey has found.
Brain fog, parents dying, children leaving home, and financial pressures can also trigger difficulties such as sleep problems, feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and loss of joy in life.
However, an “epidemic of silence” surrounds the challenges women face with their mental health in midlife; Almost nine in 10 of those affected do not seek any help to cope.
The findings emerged from a survey of 2,000 women aged 50 and over across Britain, commissioned by the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which represents therapists.
BACP’s director of professional standards, policy and research, Dr. Lisa Morrison said the findings made “sobering reading”. “We know that for many women, this stage of life brings a huge set of challenges, from menopause and other physical changes to disruptions in relationships, caring responsibilities and empty nest syndrome.
“What is most worrying is that a staggering nine in 10 women [affected] they face mental health issues but feel the need to hide it. “For many women over 50, mental health problems in midlife have a devastating impact on their daily lives.”
According to the survey conducted by market research firm 3Gem, the negative consequences of a common “holding back from coming out” include sleep problems (59%), weight gain or loss (43%), avoiding social events (38%) and withdrawing from friendship groups (28%).
Overall, 58% felt more anxious and overwhelmed by things that would not have affected them before.
When asked what prevents them from opening up about their mental health, women said they don’t want to be a burden to people (4%), feel they have to “stand together” for others (45%), fear other people won’t understand (27%), and tend to “take a hard line” (24%).
BACP is today launching a campaign to warn middle-aged women that the “stiff upper lip” culture is bad for them and that they should consider therapy as a form of support.
Menopause brings with it particular challenges: BACP’s Mindometer study, an annual survey of nearly 3,000 therapists, found a significant increase in the number of women seeking therapy to help them cope with menopause-related concerns, especially anxiety.
When women were asked what pressures they have faced since turning 50 that have affected their mental health, brain fog, a common side effect of menopause, was the most common response (38%), while moving towards menopause (34%) was the third most cited response.
“Menopause can lead to symptoms such as confusion, poor sleep and memory loss, which can cause women to question their own competence and abilities,” Morrison said. “In addition, many are also going through a transition in their home lives. This may include grief, taking on care responsibilities for aging relatives, young adult children leaving home, or the breakdown of a relationship.”
Financial difficulties are also common, Morrison said. “Even just a few of these issues combined, along with the usual daily challenges, can leave women feeling overly stressed and unsupported.”
Janet Lindsay, chief executive of the charity Wellbeing of Women, said: “Hormonal changes during menopause can have a significant impact on women’s mental health. A culture of dismissal can leave many people feeling pressured to keep their struggles to themselves.
“Perimenopause and menopause symptoms, or fluctuating estrogen, can lead to anxiety, low mood, irritability and brain fog, and without appropriate support these can have a profound impact on a woman’s life and well-being.”
A survey of 9,600 mothers from 12 European countries, published on Wednesday, found that 71 per cent of mothers in the UK felt overburdened and 47 per cent suffered from mental health problems such as depression and burnout.
