Living Well Through The Menopause: An evidence-based cognitive behavioural guide

Description

An essential book to help women to live well through the menopause and to cope effectively with menopausal symptoms, using a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach. Living Well Through the Menopause is based on a wealth of research, including randomised controlled trials of the MENOS intervention with over 1000 women, that has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach specifically for menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, night sweats and also their impact on daily life. CBT is proven as an effective alternative for women who do not want or are unable to use hormone therapy (HT). Written in an accessible and interactive style, with case examples and quotes, this guide will empower you and, specifically: Help you to understand and cope with your physical and emotional reactions to the menopause Clarify your key goals, thoughts and feelings using interactive questions and homework sheets Enhance your self-care through behaviour change Help partners and loved ones to support you through the menopause Living Well self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Series Editors: Professor Kate Harvey and Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Myra Hunter (Author) Myra Hunter is Emeritus Professor of clinical health psychology with King's College London. She has published over 200 journal articles and 8 books and her research on menopause has established her as an international expert in the field. She was expert psychology advisor for the NICE guidance on menopause, 2015. Her recent work includes developing and trialling a cognitive behavioural intervention for hot flushes and night sweats, as well as conducting a study - MENOS@work - that aims to improve the experience of menopause for working women. Melanie Smith (Author) Dr Melanie Smith is a clinical psychologist working in the NHS and private practice. She has specialised in working with people with long term health conditions with particular interests in menopause and chronic pain. She was lead therapist on the MENOS trials and provides training in CBT for menopause symptoms for health professionals in conjunction with the British Menopause Society, as well as continuing to work with women in group and 1:1 settings in private practice.

'When it comes to hot flushes, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is top of the list for helping shrug off negative thoughts and shepherd meandering minds back to stillness. To say I was extremely sceptical before I made my 2018 menopause programme - The Truth About Menopause - is an understatement. As part of my research, I met five women who weren't able to take HRT, but suffered from debilitating hot flushes, which had devastating consequences on their quality of life. I watched them going through a CBT programme, at the end of which they had seen a dramatic reduction in hot flushes, and night sweats which affect mood and sleep. I sped from sceptic to full fangirl when the results were revealed. The transformation in this group of hitherto suffering women was extraordinary; they radiated contentment and confidence' - Mariella Frostrup, presenter, The Truth About Menopause, BBC 1 'I have worked with the authors over a number of years to make CBT for menopausal symptoms available to women - through factsheets and other resources on the Women's Health Concern website. We have also worked together to provide tools for clinicians and training for health professionals via the British Menopause Society. This excellent book provides not only a practical guide, but is an evidence-based resource women can trust, use and benefit from' - Sara Moger, Chief Executive, British Menopause Society