What is PMDD?

PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Pre-menstrual

Occurring or experienced before menstruation

Dysphoric

An unpleasant or uncomfortable mood, such as sadness, anxiety, irritability or restlessness experienced from very short periods of time up to a lifetime

Put in a very simplistic way PMDD is an extreme form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) 

Whereas PMS affects most women to some extent PMDD affects roughly 3-8% of women during their reproductive years.The distinction between the two is basically the extreme swings in mood and how they feel about themselves and those around them.

It is a cyclic disorder in that it affects women every single month, for most sufferers they experience the physical and emotional symptoms around 7-20 days before their period is due and these last until the bleeding begins.

Some women however experience symptoms during the ovulation phase of their cycle as well.

Physical Symptoms can include

• Abdominal cramps
• Period pains
• Backache
• Hip pain
• Tender Breasts
• Nausea and Sickness
• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Changes in appetite
• Sensitivity to sound and smell
• Headaches
• Memory Loss
• Bloating
• Loss or boost to libido
• Weight gain

Emotional Symptoms

• Markedly depressed mood
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Heightened anxiety
• Increased tension
• Sudden shifts in mood
• Tearfulness
• Overly sensitivity
• Persistent angry or irritable outbursts
• Increased personal conflicts
• Frustration
• Panic attacks
• Persecutory delusions
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• Indecisiveness
• Confusion

Thanks to these symptoms sufferers can often experience particular lifestyle changes such as

• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Inability to think clearly or make simple decisions
• Cancelling outings or events
• Hiding indoors and avoiding contact with others
• Losing friends
• Being unable to cope with usual tasks or requests
• Difficulty in finding or keeping employment
• Difficulty focusing on studies or work

It must be remembered that PMDD is a cyclic disorder unlike those suffering from depression or anxiety disorders the symptoms will only be present in the 7-10 days preceding the sufferer's period and will disappear within a couple of days of bleeding beginning.

If you have any suspicions about having PMDD you should seek advice from your GP and if they are unable to help you see another one this is a genuine disorder however not many medical professionals are aware of it's existence.