Different women are affected by peri/menopause in different ways. For some it is like a blip on the radar screen, barely noticable, others have very violent intense reactions. MLC is a combination of hormonal and childhood issues. Throw in a spark like a death in the family, sickness, illness, birth of a child, empty nest and you have the perfect storm and all you need for a MLC. Some depression is OVERT some is COVERT.
Normally trying to make a time line is what all newbies try to do. Big mistake. Replay is generally taken to begin at bomb drop. So your 2-5 years or maybe 3-11 years, would start then.
FTR Heart Blessings husband is finally finishing his crisis and it has been going on for about 12 years. She is a personal friend of mine and understand what you are reading here was written in 2002.
As Jack has pointed out to you stages do not necessarily go in order. Or as I see it the LBS does not always know all the details of what happens while the MLC'er is in the tunnel. Also there are variations of how it all works and to EXPECT it to turn out in any fashion is also a HUGE mistake.
My suggestion is start reading, studying, and you can make your own evaluations. Keep an open mind because as YOU say you are a novice in this.
BTW, CAT gives the best advice around so be careful there.
