Trauma, neurodivergence and menopause, a conversation with Paula Rastrick

This is such a rich conversation about hormones, trauma, neurodivergence, burnout and menopause - all of which feel really relevant in our 40s and 50s! In this episode I speak with Paula Rastrick about:

• “Sensitive nervous systems” and her research into early life stress, adverse childhood experiences, ADHD, AuDHD and Highly Sensitive People and how that can emerge and impact perimenopausal hormonal changes. 
• Seeing menopause as a continuation of hormonal experiences from womb to present moment
• Stress “sensitivity”, hypervigilance and “symptom” variation
• Cyles of anxiety and what often lies behind that
• Social connections (and challenges)
• Expanding and acknowledging context

I am so grateful for this conversation and so pleased for you to have it as a resource. Paula has a Post Grad Certificate in Psychological Trauma, works as an Integrated Trauma Therapist (EMDR, Applied Polyvagal, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) and Coach and is the author of a book called “Sensitive Women - A trauma informed, neurodiverse approach to hormonal sensitivity”. You can download her free e-book here Hormonal Sensitivity E-Book

Sign up here to get 4 additional resources to support you:

• Perimenopause phases and timing - check where you are right now
• Indicators of hormonal changes - use this as a tracker and support in conversations with your medical practitioners
• Perimenopause and “Imposter Syndrome” -  4 questions to unpack self-doubt along with some info around hormonal changes and ideas for support. 
• Menopause Experts - this is a list of the guests that spoke to me for this season. They are all awesome and might be helpful for you to connect with. 

Full details about working with me 1:1 are available here