The menopause transition—also called perimenopause—is a profound physiological shift. While many people expect hot flashes or changes in menstrual cycles, far fewer expect new or intensifying anxiety symptoms . Yet anxiety is one of the most commonly reported emotional changes during this phase, and it can feel especially unsettling if you’ve never experienced it before. As a therapist, I often hear people say, “I don’t feel like myself,”  or “Why does everything suddenly feel overwhelming?”...