I was 21 years old when I first heard these four letters...PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). It is a severe form of premenstrual disorder that affects millions of women around the world. Although many advances have been made, a single specific cause is still unknown and there is no blood or physical test to tell us for sure if we suffer from this condition, which makes it difficult to treat and diagnose. It was recently recognized as a: "Pathological exacerbation of the somatic and psychic changes that occur during the luteal phase of the normal female cycle. Among its multiple etiopathogenic mechanisms, closely related genetic, neurobiological and endocrinological factors are postulated." In short, it has to do not only with our bleeding but also with the way our brain receives it.
But, don't panic!!!
Although I heard this term when I was 21 years old, I had been living it since I was 12 (we are talking about the 90s): from the first day I had my first period it was an odyssey, not only "me canto el gallo" or "flow came to town "as they say in my country, but I also discovered what were panic attacks, generalized anxiety, disfiguration due to fluid retention and many other things that were alternating over time. I was taken for all kinds of studies and doctors from eye doctors and neurologists to shamans and astrologers.
No one was able to find out what was happening to me, because even though it was acute, the symptoms disappeared after a few days. I survived my adolescence as best I could; between feeling some days better, others less bad. I thought I was going crazy, I had a lot of fear and anxiety and if we add to this all the flow of normal life (pun intended) it is a miracle that I still don't let this syndrome define me.
At 41 years old I can say that I have it 'under control' and have learned to accept it and live with it. Now, we are all different and so is our path. What I do want to share with you is that I can have a 'normal' life or at least close enough. Also, what worked for me may not work for you but life is about trial and error.
The first thing is to identify if you are suffering from PMDD; usually when you go to your doctor he/she will ask you the symptoms, there are also lists of symptoms that you can check off according to what you feel (I checked off almost all of them) and the most important thing is to know yourself, your body, your emotions. I am going to share with you some of my symptoms to help you distinguish it from common PMS:
(All of these symptoms start to manifest two weeks before your period, once it arrives they fade and you go back to feeling normal.
Panic attacks and generalized anxiety.
Night sweats and trouble sleeping.
Obsessive thoughts.
Excessive irritability.
(Sadness and hopelessness.
Confusion and blurred vision.
Concentration problems, lethargy.
Fluid retention, weight gain.
Craving a lot of food or not eating at all.
These are some of the symptoms I have suffered for years; some months worse than others but I want you to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have tried many things, I'm not going to lie to you; I totally changed my eating lifestyle (vegan), I took therapy which helped me heal and save myself, I exercise, drink vitamins and I recognize my limits and respect my time. But in spite of everything I needed support so I decided to try medication which I take daily and I can say that my life has changed 90%. Some months I still feel "weird" but it last less time, I can live a normal life without being defined by the day of the month and I can recognize that it is something I decide every day.
I know there are many women who suffer from this syndrome and that it can be scary, we feel like we are crazy and no one understands us. But you are not alone, there is always hope. I urge for you to take the first step and identify if this is what you are suffering from.
I have received many messages and have decided it is time to help women like me who are defined by a month, a calendar.
As a certified coach and a woman with PMDD, I have decided that rather than a desire, it is a duty to serve as a light on this often lonely path. One day at a time.
Shirley Darleen, Certified Life Coach. Specialist in support for women with PMDD.