What is PMDD?

Taken from this very informative blog: Moods and Musings, Living with Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder 
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder affects only 3-8% of women. It is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS. Almost all women suffer some kind of symptoms when their menstrual period is due. They may become snappy and grumpy, they may deal with cramps, backache or tender breasts, however, PMS sufferers can manage these symptoms effectively and their lives are not disrupted by their menstrual period.

PMDD sufferers experience many if not all possible physical symptoms, but the distinguishing factor of PMDD is the extreme swings in mood and how they feel about themselves and others.

PMDD is a cyclical disorder. It will affect a woman every single month. Most ladies with PMDD will experience physical discomfort and emotional changes that begin around a week before their period, lasting till bleeding commences. However, due to being sensitive to hormone changes, some women experience symptoms during the ovulatory phase of their cycle too.

It is thought that a women with PMDD is more sensitive to the body's naturally changing hormones. It is also thought that these changes can bring about a drop in serotonin in the brain, which can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Serotonin is the body's natural feel good hormones, and many PMDD sufferers experience symptoms of low serotonin.

Physical changes and symptoms can include the following:

Abdominal cramps, period pain, 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 and weight gain.

Emotional changes and symptoms can include:

Markedly depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, heightened anxiety, increased tension, sudden shifts in mood, tearfulness, overly sensitive, persistent angry or irritable outbursts, increased personal conflicts, frustration, panic attacks, persecutory delusions, racing thoughts, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, indecisiveness, and confusion.

Lifestyle changes:

Loss of interest in usual activities, unable to think clearly to make simple decisions, cancelling outings or events, hiding indoors and avoiding contact with others, damaging relationships via texts, online or verbally, losing friends, being unable to cope with usual tasks or requests, difficulty in keeping employment, difficulty focusing on studies or work.

An important note on Dysphoria.

PMDD is distinguished from PMS by the use of the word dysphoric. PMDD sufferers often describe their symptoms as a feeling of 'going mad' or 'going insane'. They feel out of control of their emotions and find their minds full of racing negative thoughts. Some say it feels like being possessed and many women will describe themselves as Jekyll and Hyde.

The dysphoria element is often overlooked yet is one of the hardest things for a woman to deal with. For a certain amount of days or weeks out of the month right before their period and/or around ovulation, a PMDD sufferer will experience a complete shift and change in being.

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