If your PMS symptoms seem so much worse than what your friends dealt with, you may not be suffering from PMS at all. Instead, you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). You dread this time of the month because you know that you’re about to endure a week or more of emotional turmoil.
Rather than dealing with mild cramps and occasional mood swings, you feel intense depression and anxiety. You might feel deeply angry towards your loved ones for no apparent reason. You have trouble carrying out your responsibilities. Perhaps you've even lost jobs or dropped out of classes because your symptoms were so overwhelming.
Here are a few common emotional struggles associated with PMDD. Recognizing the signs early can help you get the care you need.
Severe Anxiety or Depression
Most people with PMDD deal with severe symptoms of anxiety or depression that might only crop up during the luteal phase preceding their period. Through the rest of the month, they might feel stable and calm. But for one to two weeks, anxiety and depression symptoms may become practically unmanageable.
If this is you, you might have trouble getting out of bed, deal with serious panic attacks, or feel deeply sad over scenarios that are unlikely to happen. This mindset shift occurring every month can be jarring and destabilizing.
Anger and Irritability
PMDD can also cause strong feelings of anger and irritability. It’s normal to feel a bit cranky in the days leading up to your period. But with PMDD, the most minor inconveniences can set off extreme emotional reactions.
Furthermore, you might end up taking your feelings out on people close to you. They may be confused by your reactions to small issues. Even if you’re normally quite skilled at regulating your emotions and communicating calmly when you’re upset, you might feel like you can’t draw on these skills when you’re dealing with PMDD.
Sense of Hopelessness
PMDD is often accompanied by a strong sense of hopelessness. You might feel as though you have nothing to look forward to. It can seem like your loved ones don’t actually care about you. These feelings of hopelessness can be so detrimental they can cause you to quit activities you love or give up on certain goals.
Some people with PMDD even grapple with suicide ideation during the luteal phase, even if they experience no such thoughts during the rest of the month.
Difficulty Functioning at Home, Work, or School
Lots of people with PMDD find it hard to keep up with their academic, professional, and personal obligations when their symptoms kick in. Sometimes, those with PMDD may suffer professional consequences, like losing jobs or facing disciplinary actions from a supervisor.
Dealing with PMDD in the workplace or at school can be particularly tricky. You may not feel comfortable talking about such a personal and poorly understood condition. At many workplaces, asking for any sort of accommodations or flexibility isn’t possible.
Strain on Relationships
The way PMDD affects relationships can be one of the most frustrating aspects of this condition. For example, you might find yourself arguing with your partner frequently when your PMDD symptoms kick in.
If you live with family, you may end up getting angry with your parents or siblings, especially if they don’t understand your condition or are not sympathetic. You may fight with your friends and feel guilty afterward. A little understanding can go a long way when it comes to fostering healthy relationships while living with PMDD.
–
You do not have to overcome PMDD on your own. We’re here to support you, and we encourage you to contact our office to book a free consultation or your first women’s therapy appointment.