Guest: Kirstin Bouse, clinical and forensic psychologist and founder of All About Her, the Centre for Menopause

What happens when a woman who has always managed to cope suddenly feels as though she no longer can?

In this episode of Unfiltered & Unbound, Kate speaks with Kirstin Bouse about the complicated overlap between anxiety, perimenopause, burnout, identity and the invisible load many women carry through midlife.

Kirstin explains why anxiety can appear for the first time during perimenopause, or return in a form that feels very different from anything a woman has experienced before. They discuss panic-like symptoms, disrupted sleep, overwhelm, brain fog, reduced confidence and the frightening sense of no longer recognising yourself.

Kirstin also shares one of the simplest and most memorable ideas from the episode: chase joy. Supporting mental health is not only about reducing difficult symptoms. It is also about actively making room for the people, experiences and moments that help life feel more like your own.

Kate and Kirstin discuss:

• why anxiety can emerge or intensify during perimenopause
• what midlife anxiety can look like in women who have never considered themselves anxious
• the overlap between perimenopause, burnout and chronic overwhelm
• sleep disruption, panic symptoms, brain fog and reduced confidence
• why hormonal changes can affect mental health
• preparing for a conversation with your GP or psychologist
• the importance of self-compassion and becoming more discerning with your energy
• why feeling better does not have to mean returning to overfunctioning
• the role joy can play in supporting wellbeing through midlife

Kirstin Bouse is a clinical and forensic psychologist with nearly 30 years of experience. She is the founder of All About Her, the Centre for Menopause, and works primarily with women navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout and late-diagnosed neurodivergence.

Kirstin brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, helping women understand what is happening, access appropriate support and move through midlife with greater clarity and self-compassion.

All About Her, the Centre for Menopause
https://www.allabouthercentre.com.au/

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This episode provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical or psychological advice. Do not stop or change medication without speaking with a qualified health professional. If anything discussed in this episode feels familiar or concerning, please speak with your GP, psychologist or another appropriately qualified practitioner.