The menopause, eating disorders & being Neurodivergent
It is vitally important that we deconstruct the stereotypes that surround eating disorders, bringing more awareness to the fact they do not just effect teens and young people. Over the last ten years cases of eating disorders have become more prevalent among women going through the peri menopause and menopause. It is a period of transition for women, the start of a new season in their lives, which can bring with it a myriad of physical and psychological symptoms, such as low mood, loss of motivation, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, night sweats and low self-esteem.
It can be a time of increased vulnerability for women, as the change in their reproductive hormones can increase their risk of an existing eating disorder reoccurring or developing for the first time. The risk is similar to that experienced by teenage girls when they go through puberty, and the hormonal changes linked to it
Navigating your way through the menopause can sometimes feel like walking up a mountain in high heels and can often feel like quite a lonely time. Women desperately need their voice to be heard but they can sometimes feel they are being ignored by society, and the world around them, even feeling invisible. This is often one of the busiest times in a woman’s life, with many external pressures, bringing up children, pursuing their career and caring for ageing parents. It may also be a time of change, older children leaving home or a marriage breakdown, sparking the desire for a new identity. This can create the perfect storm where overwhelm spills over into the need for some semblance of control, which could potentially trigger an eating disorder to develop, as a means of trying to cope.
It can feel like riding high on the crest of a wave one minute, the next crashing into the sea, swimming around searching for the calm gentle wave lapping on the shore, the safe steady one. This rollercoaster of emotions can feel exhausting causing loss of confidence and low, self-esteem as well as brain fog, even resulting in some women giving up their jobs. The impact of these hormonal changes on their lives must not be underestimated and will be further exacerbated by an eating disorder. There is often a cloak of shame and guilt surrounding eating disorders causing barriers to seeking help.
Now I would like you to also consider how even more challenging and difficult the Neurodivergent individual may find this transition as it is complicated even further. Imagine those of you who are Neurotypical and how you struggled to navigate the physical, hormonal, and psychological changes, and now imagine how it is further complicated if, for example you are Neurodivergent. People with ADHD or Autism for example may find themselves even more overwhelmed, struggle with emotional regulation in a way that may well remind them of their teenage years. Following on from the latter, some Neurodivergent individuals will experience major deterioration in everyday function, communication ability, executive functioning, relationship issues and they may struggle with a decline in mental health. Mental health practitioners need to bear in mind when working with this huge group of individuals that when we are working with the menopause, eating disorders and the neurodivergent individual, again we are working with the perfect storm and need to bear that in mind as we support them through this life changing transition.
Why is this so concerning?
Women of this age are very good at hiding their eating disorder especially if they are Autistic from their family and friends as they are often the ones in control of shopping for and preparing the food. A change in a younger person’s eating habits is usually noticed by the adults in their life who can then raise their concerns, but this is not the case for menopausal women who can slip under the radar, unfortunately meaning they may stay ill for longer. Furthermore, for the Autistic person they are often no longer able to mask as they did before.
The physical effects of an eating disorder can be dramatic at any age but are more severe as people age. They put pressure on the cardiovascular system, immune system, gut and can decrease bone density, which is already falling at this stage of life, due to dropping oestrogen levels.
What can we do?
It is imperative that we raise awareness of the link between menopause, eating disorders and how they are further complicated by being neurodivergent, so that these women can access the help and support they need and deserve from their GP and a eating disorder/neurodivergent informed counsellor, if more support is required. Finally, the tide is beginning to turn, as the menopause is being talked about more openly, with many people campaigning for increased education and support. It is vital that we keep this momentum going, opening more doors for honest discussion to better help women in this stage of their life.
References:
Liz Earle wellbeing, Menopause and eating disorders – what is the link?
Balance.com Eating disorders and the menopause.