Health, there seem to be a lot of articles on health out
there, especially on women's health and the list of health problems or concerns
goes on and on forever. You will read about hormonal imbalances and energy
levels and skin imperfections and even what's good for your gut, but there are
just some disorders you never here about.
PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder is the most severe
type of PMS you can possibly suffer from and it affects between 2%-10% of
women. It is actually debilitating to the point of it affecting a woman's
career, as she will not be able to go to work or function in her everyday life.
Symptoms include mood swings, depression and feelings of hopelessness, tension,
anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and sleep problems. These are just a
few and you can read about this more in-depth Here.
You are more likely to suffer from PMDD if there is a family
history of depression and or anxiety or if you yourself suffer depression and
anxiety or have suffered post-natal depression.
I suppose you’re probably saying to yourself: ‘this sounds
exactly like PMS and PMT’, but I can assure you it is nothing like PMS or PMT.
In fact, it is more like TNT and how could I possibly know? Because I suffer
from PMDD and have done for a while – I was only diagnosed a few years ago but
it has got progressively worse as I grew older.
It is very funny how hormones and the lack of in this case
(progesterone) can make you feel like a completely different person. I think
for me the biggest change has been dealing with the emotional side and the
anxiety, which has been exacerbated tenfold.
I am particularly lucky to have a very supportive and loving
husband and lovely supportive friends and family but when I am suffering I do
not want to see anyone, let alone let them help me in any way. My husband is
the only person I see when I am unwell and suffering and I am very grateful he
stands firm and continues to love me when I feel very unlovable and downright
horrible.
There are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms but
there is no cure and you basically have to wait until menopause is over. There
are vitamins and minerals you can take and a wonderful vitamin called Vitex,
also known as Agnus Castus, and it does help quite a bit. I didn't know how
much it helped until I stopped taking it, thinking I didn't need it and would
be ok. Let's just say that wasn't one of my better ideas. Magnesium is another
wonderful mineral that will help as it relaxes the body and is also beneficial
for the heart.
You can find out about other supplements and natural help Here.
Getting enough sleep, meditating, eating correctly and
taking vitamins and minerals and exercising will all help. I am not the best at
getting enough exercise and also tend to go to bed too late sometimes because I
can't put my book down or am busy on my computer. But I try to get all the
other elements in balance and if all else fails, I pray and sometimes that is
all I can do on a bad day and that's o.k.
Getting support is important as well and may be in the form
of contacting your family doctor and or a naturopath as they can work well
together. Just make sure you advise your family doctor of any vitamins and
minerals you start taking so they can note it down. Support from family and
friends is also vital but if you can not get that support I do encourage
talking to a counsellor or therapist as it is always helpful to be able to talk
about what is going on in your body and what you’re feeling.
I hope this has helped any women out there who may suffer
from PMDD as it is a subject that is not talked about and I feel it needs to
be. I also hope it may help any husbands, partners, daughters, sons or anyone
who may have someone in there life suffering from this condition.
Remember to be kind to yourself and take some time out when
things get difficult. There is help out there, we just have to ask for it.
