Looking for Personal Experiences with PMDD and its Impact on Mental Health

I recently (today) have come to the conclusion that I think I have PMDD. I don’t like to self-diagnose generally but everything makes sense looking at the symptoms and onset and everything. I know this is a vague question, but is anyone willing to share their experience with it? And how it relates to your mental health/what do the symptoms look like and when do you have them? I’ve looked up stuff online but I would like to hear from people with personal experiences. Anyone willing? Either on this post of you can msg me. Much appreciated! Thanks in advance for anyone who reads this

Considering a Medication Switch, Need Advice

Hi Alike Fam! I'm highly considering switching my meds soon, as I recently got genetic testing done and prozac is not great or very likely to work for me. I'm considering switching to pristiq, but I'm thinking I may need a mood stabilizer with it since it can cause hypomania and mania. thoughts? suggestions? experiences?

Struggling with Misdiagnosis and Medication for PMDD and ADHD

I've had unexplainable dips in mood since I was about 11. in 2020 I was told by a university nurse that I have anxiety and so was prescribed sertraline. Two years passed and the meds helped to a certain extent, but I started to notice that they had no effect in the week/s leading up to my period. I spoke to a doctor and pushed for a PMDD diagnosis - I got this eventually and they could only suggest increasing the dose of sertraline during the time that my mood drops. I didn't want to do this and so I started having Zoladex implants every 4 weeks. I know that I was misdiagnosed with anxiety and I wish I had never started taking antidepressants. Every time my PMDD flared they just increased the dosage of sertraline and then the next month it had no effect - the cycle continued. I'm now finding it so hard to start the process of weaning off the meds as I haven't been stable for 6+ months'. I was diagnosed with PMDD six months ago and have been taking Zoladex for 5 of those. I spoke to a doctor a few months ago about the possibility of having ADHD. He told me it sounds like I absolutely do but suggested I didn't push for a diagnosis, as I'm 23 and therefore unlikely to get any extra support (I am no longer in education). I understand now that my mental illness is a combination of ADHD and PMDD - not anxiety as I was originally told I had. these conditions massively affect my life and functioning as a person, and so I have a new plan for my medical pursuit: 1. wean off sertraline 2. stop taking Zoladex (side effects are intense) 3. start taking a low dose of sertraline the week before my period (for PMDD symptoms) 5. get an official ADHD diagnosis and start taking meds. not really sure why I'm putting this here but I feel like I need a place to keep this whilst it's somewhat coherent in my mind.

Struggling with Extreme Emotions During My Period

Seems like every month my period turns me into a crazy person. I can’t manage my emotions, anxiety and depression go to the extreme. Then once I get my period I’m back to normal. I’ve tried birth control, antidepressants, exercise, healthy eating, talk therapy, and so much more with little to no relief. Is anyone else going through this or have found relief? I really need help…

Tips for managing PMDD

Recently diagnosed with PMDD. Any tips on managing it? 🤔

Swollen Muscles Before Period: Anyone Else?

Any ladies have trouble with muscles swelling or getting knots the week before your period? I have Fibromyalgia and PMDD, and my neck muscles and shoulders knot up and swell with any kind of stimuli. It could be an exciting movie or goofing off with my kids, anything thats emotional or physical exertion, and my neck muscles swell almost like a bullfrog. Constant heat, dark, and quiet are all that helps. I just wanted to see if anyone else had something similar. My thyroid has been checked. I've had ultrasound and cat scan and mri. Nothings physically wrong, other than I'm a very emotionally sensitive bullfrog that hides in the dark half the month with hot packs on my neck and shoulders. Anybody else? Any coping methods? Anything?

PMDD Diagnosis: Is it Worth It?

I just googled “why do i get _______ before my period” and say PMDD pop up. is this something most people diagnose themselves with? i can’t say for sure if that’s what is causing my symptoms, but i don’t find it worthwhile to go to the doctor about it. anyone that is professionally diagnosed - is it worth it? what was the diagnostic process like? i can’t imagine there is any treatment.

Yaz saved my life: My experience with PMDD

I started taking yaz in july for pmdd, I experienced more mental symptoms than physical symptoms during hell week. they were getting so bad that I was looking into chemical menopause at 24 years old. but this month as hell week was supposed to strike… nothing. I started my period and it was like pmdd never existed. yaz has literally saved my life!! feeling so hopeful and if anyone else has taken yaz with success, I would love to hear !! I never listened when people said it gets better because it wasn’t getting better for me, but i believe it now. if anyone is struggling with pmdd, I hope you find things to help!! and i’m here to listen if anyone wants to send a message! ❤️‍🩹

Negative Emotional Effects of Hormonal Birth Control

I think I finally realized that hormonal birth control has had a huge negative effect on me emotionally since I started it. What I notice now is that having taken a break in between trying new birth control pills, I feel so much better mentally. Physically, it’s hell because of the pain and bleeding, which has some effect on my mental health. But I feel a lot more clear-headed, emotionally available, and less just angry all the time. Has anyone else noticed this? What have you tried for contraception when hormones just seem to exacerbate symptoms? What makes a difference in your cycles—in terms of pain, and/or mental health?

Managing Work During Period Week

What are your crisis plans during your period week? I’ve had to take four days off of my birth control to try and stop this breakthrough bleeding. But the emotional rollercoaster feels like too much and I’m already in burnout. Any ideas for how to manage and make it through work or just getting through daily tasks would be welcome.

Dealing with PMS Mood Swings

hi all I really don't like who I become right before my period. I get angry, anxious, tense, and depressed. I'm on prozac for this and buspar which has helped some but truly not enough I don't believe. I'm going to try to get on cbd again. I just really am tired of the mood swings during that time.

Tips for Handling PMDD in College

I will be starting college in a few weeks and am really nervous about how pmdd might affect my life as a college student. Does anyone have any tips for handling pmdd in college?

Managing Extreme Hormonal Mood Shifts: Seeking Advice

I struggle really badly with my hormonal cycle especially mentally to where I have been hospitalized for it before. people just tell me to stick through it, but it's really a medical emergency every month sometimes. I'm trying ways to reduce symptoms so I don't get knocked down every month like this. Does anyone have any methods that helped them manage these extreme hormonal mood shifts? (PMDD)

Combating PMDD Symptoms with Antidepressants and Birth Control

Has anyone tried both antidepressants AND hormonal birth control to combat their symptoms? I'm on duloxetine (Cymbalta) for anxiety and depression and it has helped with my PMDD symptoms but I'm seeing a new gynecologist on the 15th and I'm wondering if bringing up my diagnosis (my psychiatrist diagnosed me) and asking about birth control to add a second line of defense against the hell week.

PMDD and Inflammation: Joint and Nerve Pain during Luteal Phase

Does anyone with PMDD also suffer from inflammation-related symptoms like joint and nerve pain during their luteal phase? I have a cervical herniated disc in my neck and it always flares up right on cue when I ovulate.

Looking for Birth Control Options to Help with PMDD Symptoms

hell week has started for me today!! I was only diagnosed with pmdd last month, after telling my therapist about the mood swings and inability to get myself out of intrusive thought patterns. I have to get hormone testing done and have started oral birth control, but I don’t think this birth control is quite right for me. are there any forms of birth control that helped anyone out with the emotional side of pmdd? I can’t take ssri’s so I feel like a different birth control is my only hope :/

Looking for PMDD Treatment Advice

What kind of treatment do you guys use to treat PMDD? It's really interfering with my daily life and I'm exhausted. I just want to feel grounded for once. I'd prefer not to use antidepressants or birth control as I've had bad experiences in the past, but what works for you??

Dealing with PMDD: How to Get Support from Friends and Family

How do you have your friends and family help you when dealing with the lowest of the low moods from PMDD? I feel like all I want to do is sleep and isolate until I’m better, but it’s making me worse. How do you get people to understand? I feel like the increased sensitivity to rejection makes it even harder to reach out and work to communicate.

Struggling with PMDD: How to Get Out of Bed on Bad Days

How do you make yourself get out of bed the days your pmdd is bad?

Insomnia during PMDD cycle

Any of my fellow PMDD sufferers have a night or two each cycle where you have pure insomnia and don't sleep at all....?