WHAT IS PMDD? It’s called premenstrual dysphoric disorder and it’s hell on earth.
I could explain what it’s like for me but I interviewed other women from all over the country to get their points of view too.
Below these personal experiences, you will find a more in-depth look of the disorder.
Here’s what other women had to say about their PMDD experience.
“It’s like going to bed the happiest ray of sunshine and waking up like a Phoenix ready to burn everything to ash. There’s no explanation and no real control to get the temperature down. It takes an immense amount of self-courage to battle your own mind and body.”
“When it passes, it's like a fog is lifted and look back and see what an awful angry person you were for the last week. Almost like tunnel vision and the tunnel is red. Anything could set you off and it's like you have no control. Total Jekyll & Hyde situation.”
“I have dealt with PMDD and Pcos. It sucks. The extreme lows because of it was hard to continue each day. Made thoughts horrible and caused such havoc with personal relationships. The complete feeling of hopelessness when dealing with the emotional blows due to it was extensive.”
“Whew! The mood swings, nausea, and constant migraine almost do me in. I’ve never been diagnosed with PMDD, but I think I just don’t complain enough. I took 2 pregnancy tests last week because I was so out of sorts-cried at a Christmas parade for no reason, nausea/vomiting/can’t eat, angry at the world, my breasts hurt so bad that it’s rough wearing a bra during the work day and heaven forbid anyone touch them, terrible migraines for 2 weeks. It was like the world was out to get me. I was anxious about everything-people whispering behind my back, my husband thinking I’m a terrible wife and taking my kid. Started my period yesterday and I feel much better.”
“Having PMDD on top of severe major depressive disorder and anxiety/panic disorder makes a good 7-10 days each month feel like the bottom of hell.”
“The bad days seem to last longer than the “good” days. The pain, depression, mood swings are enough alone to make you want to end it all. I would say that women need to advocate for themselves and not be just another “oh you just have PMS”.”
“It's like I'm living two completely different lives. Like there's two versions of me. The volatile angry painful miserable bitch, and then who I really am. The only "plus", if you can call it that even, is that it's a regular cycle and I can mostly predict who I'll be on what days. But the fact that there's no close end in sight, is terrifying.”
“It's as of you have rabies and have no clue how to control yourself. Then all of a sudden you wake up and realize you have been out of control and have no clue what came over you! Sometimes it is just a moment in life, other times you aren't sure if or when it will ever end!”
So what is PMDD exactly?
PMMD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a disabling form of PMS.
The symptoms flair up around the time of ovulation and last until the start of your period.
Which means, those with PMMD spend half of their life, potentially in great distress. At least until they reach menopause.
Due to the similarities between Bipolar Disorder and PMDD, thousands and thousands of women with PMDD get misdiagnosed.
For many women, the symptoms are often downplayed or dismissed by their doctor, making this illness even more isolating than it already is. If you experience the symptoms below, talk to your doctor. If they don’t listen, find one that will.
The following symptoms can be expected:
SUICIDAL IDEATION OR ATTEMPTS
EXCESSIVE WORRY
INTENSE RAGE
DEPERSONALIZATION
CRYING SPELLS
MOODINESS
SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS
LOSS OF WILL TO CONTINUE
IRRITABILITY
NERVOUSNESS
EXTREME ANXIETY
PANIC ATTACKS
HYPERSENSITIVITIES (misophonia etc)
SENSORY OVERLOAD
HOPELESSNESS
IMPENDING SENSE OF DOOM
RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES
SEVERE FATIGUE
VIOLENT THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS
SEVERE DEPRESSION
IN A STATE OF DESPAIR
APPETITE CHANGES
INABILITY TO FOCUS
INTENSE PARANOIA
BODY ACHES
SELF LOATHING
DECREASED SELF ESTEEM
AGITATION
BRAIN FOG
LOSS OF MOTIVATION
FEELING OVERSTIMULATED
SADNESS
SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL
JOINT OR MUSCLE PAIN
HEADACHES
NAUSEA
BREAST PAIN
PANIC ATTACKS
POOR IMPULSE CONTROL
CLUMSINESS
LIBIDO CHANGE
SWELLING
AGGRESSION
20% of women suffer from this disorder and over 30% of them will attempt suicide in their lifetime.
If you suspect you may have PMDD, your gynecologist is typically your starting point for diagnosis.
If you have any questions that you think we can help you with, use the purple button on the bottom right hand corner.