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What is PMDD?

Writer's picture: Melissa McCormickMelissa McCormick

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, commonly called PMDD, is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Though significantly more research is needed on this topic, it is believed that PMDD is caused by a decrease in serotonin levels that occur during the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle. Varying in intensity, PMDD is a chronic issue that requires attention and care and often goes undiagnosed.


What are the symptoms of PMDD?

It is not uncommon for the mood changes that occur during our cycles to not be taken seriously. However, the fluctuations that occur in our hormones deeply affect our brains in very real ways. The rise and fall of estrogen levels during our cycle directly affect our moods, energy, hunger levels, and much more. Symptoms of PMDD often include an intensity of mood swings, and increased levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts during the second half of our cycles. 


Support for PMDD:

Track your cycle: One avenue of education that is immensely helpful is cycle syncing. Cycle syncing is the practice of tracking and planning your lifestyle around the 4 phases of your period. This simple act of tracking your period, whether it is regular or irregular, can be enlightening. For many, PMDD can peak about 10 days before your bleed starts. For others, the surge of hormones around ovulation can bring about intense feelings. Tracking and getting to know your unique body and cycle can help us to feel that our symptoms are not entirely out of control. 


Lifestyle changes: Our periods can often give us insight into how our health is doing overall. Any lifestyle change that adds to our overall health can also affect our period health positively. Integrating movement that feels good to our bodies (i.e. walking, gentle stretching), eating whole foods at regular intervals, and limiting the overuse of caffeine and alcohol leading up to our periods can be supportive during sensitive times. Certain medicines and supplements as directed by a doctor can also help. 


How can therapy can help PMDD?

Emotional support: The ups and downs that occur during our cycle can happen quickly and be overwhelming. We may feel fine one day, and then feel completely knocked off our feet by anxiety or sadness the next. 


Lifestyle support: It may feel like making changes to our lifestyle is just another thing that overwhelms us. How can we know where to start? Working with a therapist who is aware of the role of menstruation and our hormones can help you pinpoint actionable, small ways to help you manage your life and symptoms. 


Listening: One of the main ways PMDD can be treated is through witnessing the part of you that comes up during your period. This means allowing yourself to feel the feelings in a safe and non-judgemental environment. When we are overwhelmed, the thought of sitting and feeling our feelings can feel deeply scary. A supportive therapist can help you experience those feelings and create a safe container to limit your experiences of overwhelm. 


Resources


The Period Revolutionary Podcast

We recommend Lara Briden's "The Period Revolutionary" podcast, covering topics such as PCOS, endometriosis, hormonal birth control, perimenopause, and more.

The Period Repair Manual

More Information About PMDD

National Suicide Hotline




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