topic Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in Anxiety

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

KMF — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:14:59 GMT

Struggling today.

I was diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder last year (it took over 20 years to really narrow down what was happening).

The anxiety I’m experiencing today is difficult. I am constantly having thoughts that I’m not good enough and questioning my existence in this world.

Managing this chronic health condition (the main symptoms are depression and anxiety) is taking its toll. I’m currently on a waiting list to see a PMDD specialist - I’ve been on this list for almost two years.

I just needed to reach out today to vent. Thanks for reading my post.

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

white knight — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:32:04 GMT

Hi, welcome

I'm sorry its taken so long for someone to respond. The topic might have been seen as unfamiliar to many of us as we are peer advisors, people with lived experience, not professional medical staff.

How are you feeling several days after posting? Two years is a long time, can you contact them and ask for an update. Sometimes people get lost in the system.

I have a few threads below, I hope they help, let me know eh.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/depression/depression-and-the-timing-of-motivation/td-p/149708

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it/td-p/183873

TonyWK

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:57:49 GMT

Hi KMF,

I just wanted to send support and acknowledge the struggle you are having. I’ve been going through something that may be similar. It’s not PMDD but strong anxiety and depression linked to perimenopause, so still hormonal and very destabilising. So I know the awful feelings that can accompany severe hormonal dysregulation. I’ve been struggling with feelings of worthlessness and questioning the point of my existence, so I relate very much to what you write.

I have complicating factors of complex trauma so I think any existing struggles can just get magnified by the emotional intensity from the hormonal imbalance. I’m finding reaching out to others who are understanding is very important and helpful. I’ve called helplines just to talk to someone several times. Are there people you feel you can talk to? It’s great you have reached out here.

I really hope you can get some specialist support soon. There may be online support groups for PMDD which may offer some ideas too. In my case I have a liver condition which limits the options of medical treatments I can use, so I’m having to look at what other resources I can find and keep researching it.

Feel free to chat here anytime as just communicating with others can help to alleviate the intensity of strong feelings and being hard on yourself, and give you some validation that your existence is absolutely worthwhile.

Take care and happy to chat if you need/want to.

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

KMF — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 23:57:33 GMT

Thank-you for your reply. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing something similar.

Yes I sometimes attend a PMDD support group that is organised through IAMPD. It has been very helpful. Thank-you for reminding me of that as it is probably time to reach out to the support group again.

All the best for your day 😊

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

KMF — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 23:59:48 GMT

Thanks for your reply and the suggested threads.

Yes I have contacted them multiple times and there is a massive waiting list.

I am feeling a bit lighter since posting. Thank-you 😊

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Stace37 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:24:52 GMT

While I know you’re probably feeling back to your normal self, I just wanted to reach out to let you know you’re not alone.

Ive been diagnosed for a year as well, while getting a diagnosis helped me understand why things were happening doesn’t make it any easier.

next month, deep breaths, remember to reach out to your support system and remember it will pass (easier said than done, I know)

PMDD -Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Stace37 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:31:38 GMT

I’m not sure why I’m writing, some form of reassurance and support perhaps 🤷‍♀️

Ive been diagnosed with PMDD for a year, but have suffered for approximately 12 years since the birth of my youngest child. While getting a diagnosis helped me understand why things were happening doesn’t make it any easier.

i was convinced today that my relationship was doomed, that we were over and did my best to push my partner away.

this condition is hard and makes no sense, i am medicated and yet still have some months like this where i can’t see my worth, convince myself that im useless and better off not here.

some days like today im not sure how to get through it, i cant see the light at the end of the tunnel, because once the initial argument has been had I am then left with the guilt and repercussions of what was said, of creating an argument out of nothing, some of which i cant even remember.

Re: PMDD -Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:56:13 GMT

Dear Stace37,

Just wanted to send you some support. I really empathise as I’m now going through major hormonal upheavals in relation to perimenopause. I can relate to the out of control emotions and the feeling of the condition just making no sense. I am finding my sense of reality is altered and I feel like I lose all my normal coping mechanisms and sense of balance and groundedness. I normally have really good impulse control and I now find myself acting in compulsive ways that are totally not normal for me.

Have you been able to share with your partner how you are being affected, what it feels like when you are in those states? I am thinking it will help them understand better what is happening for you and know it is just a major hormonal disturbance and that the real you is still there underneath.

I have been listening to a podcast by a menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson and a woman she interviewed was speaking about the hormonal upheaval she went through after having her baby. It is like events that impact hormones can become extremely dysregulating for some women and it can be quite hard finding the right support for those experiences.

I am thinking there will be online support groups for PMDD specifically. I just had a look at apps and I can see there are some symptom tracker apps. You may be using one already and some may be better than others, but just thought I’d mention it in case that’s helpful. I’m using an app now in relation to perimenopause, but of course when you feel your worst it can be actually hard to even engage with such things. I’m trying to stick with mine so I can at least see patterns down the track.

I hope you are feeling a bit better today. I know it is truly horrible at times. But I think knowing you will have times you feel better again is important and always reaching out for support whenever you need it. I’ve called helplines quite a lot over the past few weeks just to talk to someone. Know that you are an important, valuable human being and try not to be hard on yourself. Take good care and feel free to express what you are going through anytime if it helps. Best wishes,

Eagle Ray

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Cellone — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:59:14 GMT

Hi Eagle Ray,

I dont mean to hyjack the post but it seems you've got a familiar story to me. I suffer severely with perimenopause and was told today that due to a sensitive liver and several bad past reactions to antidepressants that my doctor won't prescribe me antidepressants again. Granted my regular doctor is on holidays and the doctor (at the same clinic) wasn't willing to give me a script for anything to support my mood and symptoms. It felt like I'd been totally abandoned by the medical profession. He said I just had to find alternative ways to manage my mood and symptoms.

I felt sorry for myself for about 30 minutes but then angry I hadn't been directed to any alternatives and that was enough to get myself motivated to march down to the chemist and talk to the pharmacist. They were lovely and helped me decide on a herbal supplement and some probiotics to start. I took my first tablets this evening and will see how I go. I will be going to see my doctor to update her when she returns in the new year though. Hopefully by that time I'm feeling much better.

😊C

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:39:32 GMT

Hi Cellone,

It's such a disturbing experience isn't it! I wasn't expecting it to be this difficult. I can understand feeling abandoned by the medical profession. My sense so far is there is limited understanding of the anxiety/depression side of perimenopause. I have an autoimmune liver disease so I have limitations about what I can take as well. I'm about to see the GP so I'm going to ask him about hormone therapy. Listening to Dr Louise Newson's podcasts many of the women she has interviewed say it is what really helped their anxiety/depression. I know I can't do the oral form of it because of my liver, and I will need to check with my liver specialist about the patches. I think some women end up on hormone therapy plus antidepressants, and some just on the hormone therapy. From what I've read and listened to so far, it sounds that antidepressants alone often don't work for perimenopausal depression. I did read something about an Australian researcher, Jayashri Kulkarni, who mentions a particular antidepressant outside the usual ones that can be more helpful in perimenopause, but I can't mention the name here as we can't name specific medications. However, if your liver is sensitive you would have to look into whether it is ok. I can't post links here but she does have an article online called "Perimenopausal depression - an unrecognised entity". Hopefully it is ok with the moderators if I mention that. Some of her advice contradicts Dr Louise Hewson's advice. I am trying to read and learn as much as I can. It is hearing the stories of women who have really improved that I am taking encouragement from.

I really hope you get some help with the herbal supplement and probiotics. I was trying a herbal supplement but learned of an issue specific to my liver disease and how oestrogen receptors are affected in it that meant it was probably better for me to stop it. The supplement increased the number of oestrogen receptors which can already be overabundant in the disease I have, even if the actual oestrogen is low which mine is. I felt like it helped a bit but I didn't take it for very long. I think probiotics can be helpful generally. There is so much more awareness now that balancing the gut helps us in so many ways.

I really hope you feel better soon. Hopefully when your regular doctor is back they can maybe discuss things more with you about it and look at options. Take good care as I know what a rollercoaster it is. Happy to chat anytime if it helps. We can always start a seperate thread if worried about taking over KMF's thread. There do seem to be some similarities with PMDD in terms of the mental health impact.

Best wishes,
ER

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:55:29 GMT

P.S. Just rereading Kulkarni's article, I don't think it contradicts Louise Newson after all. I misread the bit on hormone therapy.

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:58:59 GMT

Hi Cellone,

I just thought I’d mention a podcast I listened to last night that I found very helpful in understanding how perimenopause affects the brain and mental health. It was on the Liz Earle Wellbeing podcast and is called How Hormones Influence the Brain, With Professor Jayashri Kulkarni. Professor Kulkarni has been looking at the links between perimenopause and mental health impacts on women for a long time and is really onto it. I’m finding her work and that of Dr Louise Newson who has regular podcasts on perimenopause and menopause to be so helpful. Both are way ahead of many others in the medical profession.

I just wanted to share those as potentially helpful resources.

Best wishes,

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Mountainlilly50 — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:54:23 GMT

Hello ER ,thank you for recommending the Liz Earle pod cast ,I found it very helpful ,as I'm relating to most of the syptoms that have been mentioned in these posts ,so please listen to this podcast its very good and makes you feel there is hope

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:27:18 GMT

Dear Mountainlilly50,

I’m so glad it was helpful. It’s so validating isn’t it and Prof Kulkarni has got so much insight into what is still not very well understood in much of the medical profession. Yes, the feeling of hope is so important.

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

ss0 — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:35:24 GMT

Hi,

I honestly don't know how you must be feeling hearing about your condition. It must be hard. But you are strong and you are going to make it through this. Just take one day at a time. If you want someone to talk to, I am here.

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Annas1 — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:00:38 GMT

Good Morning KMF and Eagle Ray,

thanks so much for sharing your experiences and reflections on the devastating/overwhelming impact that hormonal changes can have for women in relation to our mental health.

I too would now describe my perimenopausal decade as a PMDD-like syndrome. I have lived with anxiety (predominantly social anxiety) since adolescence, and experience insomnia and extreme physical activation coupled with exhaustion when my anxiety cannot be assuaged. It is an awful condition to live with, in that it interrupts so many aspects of life - work, study, relationships - and swallows up so much energy which could be devoted to more useful and enjoyable things.

I have been on a very windy journey to address, accept and work with my anxiety and I have come a long way since automatically feeling ashamed, flawed, and helpless. Nonetheless, I can still feel all these things when the stakes seem high (a professional or educational milestone is at risk, or a relationship may be damaged). Engaging with peers who understand the enormous physical and psychological challenges that anxiety and depression create has been a source of much needed validation and support. No two experiences are identical, but there is a lot of compassion and non-judgement that fellow travellers can offer each other.

I am currently experiencing a typical Christmastime anxiety spike, despite having done my very best to manage expectations and enjoy the social opportunities that abound. I try to remind myself that I am fortunate to have so many happy invitations to gather and connect, and I am truly grateful to have these good people in my life. However, I am also truly overwhelmed and suffering, and all the old symptoms have returned with gusto.

I am now coming to terms with the best option to care for myself this year, and it likely means not travelling to share Christmas with my sister and her family. Setting out on a trip (itself anxiety-inducing for me) already feeling overwhelmed is neither smart nor kind. So, this means letting a small number of people down (my sister and family and my husband), risking feeling a failure/weak/hopeless, and struggling to find contentment and self-acceptance when I can't do the normal/desired/expected thing. Ahhh! Hard stuff indeed.

If I decide to call the trip off I can envisage a more confident me moving into a mindset of acceptance, even while genuinely regretting having to make the change in arrangements. I would like to be this person who can look after myself in the best way I know how, and not feel ashamed about needing to do this. I still love and want to connect with my family, and can manage this by phone and video. And some close friends are in town, so the option of a casual drink is available.

So, yes, the road is windy and anxiety can still spike and be quite unmanageable at times for me, but I'm learning that I need to step up and care for myself despite the inconvenience and my instinct to stay silent and suffer.

I welcome any thoughts you may have. Go well all,

Annas

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Eagle Ray — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 01:12:07 GMT

Dear Annas,

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this difficult journey too. It sounds like you have really reflected on the planned visit with your sister and her family and have sensed what the best outcome will be for you. It’s not easy though is it. As we can want to connect with others but also our intuition is telling us what we need for self care. I currently see a psychologist and when I am trying to figure something out she will suggest I feel into it to sense what is right intuitively. Often our bodies know what feels right and what we need, but it can be easy to fall into doing what we think others expect or expectations we put on ourselves. The fact you can envisage a more confident you moving into a mindset of acceptance if you call the trip off, it sounds like your intuition has sensed what you need.

I think so many women stay silent and suffer with these extreme hormonal dysregulations because they are not often openly discussed nor understood very well by the wider society. And some women have very few symptoms so they don’t really grasp what women who are really struggling are dealing with. I was talking to a friend who is 63 the other day. The only symptoms she had were some hot flushes and she said she was slightly grumpy for a while. I’ve had almost no hot flushes. Primarily it has been really extreme anxiety and depression and getting very little sleep, often only about 3-4 hours a night. For some women the drastic drop in oestrogen really affects multiple areas of the brain. It also leads to a drop in serotonin and melatonin, hence the feeling really bad and not sleeping. I’ve just picked up a prescription for HRT which I will be starting today. It will be interesting to see what effects it has.

The extreme physical activation coupled with exhaustion you describe sounds very familiar to me. I find I am in intense anxiety and then my system goes down with overwhelm. There are many days I have just sat for 4-5 hours in one place, unable to move or function to do anything. Other times I am frozen in my bed curled up in a ball. I am scared to unwind myself from there as I’ve felt unsafe if I do. It’s utterly horrendous. I also find I can be doing sort of ok and then in a matter of a few minutes I can rapidly decline into extreme distress.

I find being in nature is helpful. Yesterday I was lying down in a park in a nearby town. I actually fell asleep for a bit which was so good as I’m not getting much sleep. I think when going through these things we have to practise more self-care than ever. So I think everything you write about self-care makes total sense. It is very true that you can still catch up with friends in town for a casual drink even if you don’t travel to your sister’s place. It is looking for what is manageable. You sound like you’ve done some really good processing around these issues. I hope you have a peaceful Christmas and can find whatever it is that helps alleviate the spikes in anxiety and gives you some reprieve and space to gently self-care.

Sending you care, support and gentleness,

Eagle Ray

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Annas1 — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 03:38:48 GMT

Thank-you so much for your kindness and thoughtful response Eagle Ray. I will write again once a bit rested.

Go well,

Annas

Re: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

KMF — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:41:06 GMT

Thank-you for your reply and apologies about the slow reply! When in the midst of PMDD symptoms it is easy to forget that it will pass. I am currently day 7 of my cycle and feeling so much clearer than a few days ago. I am 45 years old and are noticing that my symptoms of PMDD are creeping into the first 4-5 days of my period. In the past they would stop once I started bleeding but this is changing somewhat.

Re: PMDD -Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

KMF — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:43:16 GMT

Thanks for sharing Stace37. I have been listening to the PMDD podcast and have found it really beneficial. I was listening to it yesterday and an episode discussed relationships (and the guilt etc that can follow after PMDD symptoms have subsided once bleeding starts).