How can perimenopause be mistaken for bipolar disorder? In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter talks to comedian, writer and speaker Cally Beaton about how she was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was actually perimenopausal — a misdiagnosis that happens in more cases than you might realise. Cally also shares how she reinvented herself in midlife to become a stand-up comedian, how she's struggling to access the HRT she needs, and gets advice from Dr Naomi Potter on how to beat those menopause-induced nighttime surges of anxiety. This is an eye-opening conversation full of laughter, information, and great advice for midlife women.Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @podcast_naomipotterFollow Cally Beaton below:Cally's Instagram: @callybeatoncomedianCally's TikTok: @callybeatoncomedianCally's podcast Namaste Motherf**kers: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/namaste-motherf-kers/id1562113984Cally's new book Namaste Motherf**kers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Namaste-Motherf-kers/dp/B08JJZF3MCFollow Dr. Naomi Potter below:Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotterNaomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter00:00 – Intro to Cally00:28 – From TV boardrooms to comedy clubs00:59 – Joan Rivers gives life-changing advice02:33 – Taking the leap into standup03:21 – From corporate gloss to vulnerability04:26 – Learning through failure in comedy05:05 – Balancing comedy and corporate life05:35 – cComedy secret revealed in New York07:51 – The hormonal chaos of our 40s08:42 – Perimenopause is the real issue09:19 – When Cally hit rock bottom10:23 – Juggling too much and crashing10:54 – Post-stage breakdown and relentless tears11:25 – Accessing private psychiatric treatment12:08 – Diagnosed with bipolar at 4712:54 – Prescribed heavy-duty bipolar meds13:46 – Finally a GP mentions hormones14:16 – Realising it was perimenopause all along14:36 – Off bipolar meds, onto HRT15:08 – Misdiagnosis of women in psychiatry16:34 – Hormonal turbulence or psychiatric issue?17:14 – Fear of long-term bipolar medication18:01 – Finally coming off the wrong meds19:34 – Overprescribing and polypharmacy problems20:11 – HRT patch frustration begins20:49 – Side effects and stock issues22:10 – Why HRT access is so hard25:06 – Perimenopause symptoms: depression to anxiety25:55 – Hot flushes, night sweats and brain fog26:35 – The stubborn menopause tummy fat27:15 – Brain fog vs stage clarity27:51 – Crippling sleep anxiety in midlife29:02 – Sleep schedule struggles as a comedian29:26 – Cally’s current HRT regime30:03 – Trouble replacing the mirena coil30:56 – Alternative progesterone options31:48 – Regular pushback from GPs32:31 – Long-term safety of HRT33:36 – Alternatives to HRT patches34:35 – Chronic sleep deprivation struggles35:07 – Could progesterone help with sleep?35:28 – Questions from Cally’s community35:45 – When is a good time to stop HRT?36:24 – Managing withdrawal and symptoms36:46 – On max HRT and still foggy37:09 – Lifestyle factors beyond hormones38:05 – Absorption issues and patch quality38:28 – Testosterone and brain clarity39:00 – What to expect post-menopause39:49 – Hormonal chaos eventually settles40:44 – Libido tips and tricks41:15 – Understanding the causes of low libido43:12 – Cally’s upcoming book and tour44:07 – Fearless reinvention through midlife44:50 – Mess, midlife, and moving forward46:10 – Outro#callybeaton #naomipotter #namastemotherfuckers

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