I was recently diagnosed as having pre-mentrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD. This is way more serious than PMS. I always knew that there was something wrong with me about a week before I expect my period to come: I would get extra irritable, sensitive, depressed, suicidal, and paranoid. I would get into ugly altercations with my husband and other people I am close to.
It is like I am Dr. Jekyll during the rest of the month and Mr. Hyde on that particular week–I turn into a totally different person. I even thought that I was bipolar for the longest time. After a particularly disturbing episode with one of my co-workers, I decided to take a look back and see what went wrong.
I knew It was something worse than PMS.
I learned about PMDD during my first year in pharmacy school, and since then I was always suspicious that I may have it. I was officially diagnosed with it a few weeks ago, and am relieved that I finally know what is wrong with me so that it can be fixed.
If you are wondering what exactly PMDD is, here are a few facts about it:
It is much more debilitating than PMS and interferes with the woman’s daily life. Women with depression or anxiety are at a greater risk of experiencing smptoms associated with PMDD. Symptoms include: severe mood swings, depression or feelings of hopelessness, intense anxiety and irritability, heightened anger and increased interpersonal conflicts, disinterest in usual activities, marked fatigue, changse in appetite, feeling out of control, trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping, difficulty concentration, bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness. These symptoms must start and persist during the week before menses and stop shortly after the start of menses.
How is PMDD different from PMS?Symptoms are usually more severe with PMDD. PMS usually does not require treatment.
Some treatment options include:
Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, etc.) Changing sleep habits. Antidepression medication, namely selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, (Prozac or Serafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), and sertraline (Zoloft). Synthetic hormones that stop ovulation, such birth control or Lupron. Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy.
If you think that you may have PMDD, it helps to keep a diary of your feelings and emotions during that week prior to your period and give them to your doctor. They will figure out the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment for you.
References:
1. Your guide to premenstrual dysphoric disorder. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder
2. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004461/