Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

[KMF]

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. 

[KMF]

I hope you are feeling supported by professionals now? 

[KMF]

Unfortunately there is very little recognition of the impact that hormones have on mental health. I feel like I have been banging my head against a brick wall for years - not feeling listened to my medical staff etc. Finally in 2022 a Mental Health Care Nurse that I was linked up with a patient took me seriously and wrote a thorough document outlining my symptoms since my period started when I was 13. I am currently on the waiting list at a clinic.

At the end of 2022 and in the start of 2023 I had an appointment with a GP at the Jean Hailes Centre (she had an interest in PMDD). However what she suggested didn't really work for me. 

[KMF]

Hello Annas,

Apologies about my slow reply. 

Thank-you for sharing. It is so challenging but please keep communicating about your symptoms and how they are impacting you. I know I have found this so helpful to know that I am not alone. 

Here are a few resource you may find helpful:

THE PMDD Podcast is great (Australian presenter)

The PMDD Healing Podcast is good too (American presenter)

And the Christmas/New Years/January time is challenging for me too. Expectations about what we should be doing etc are tough to deal with.