Almost all women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Today let’s talk about the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). These may sound similar but there are some differences between them.
Although PMS and PMDD both have similar physical and emotional symptoms, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is much more serious than PMS because it can cause extreme mood shifts which can disrupt work or damage relationships.
Causes:
Research shows that PMDD affects up to 5% of women of childbearing age, however, women of any age may suffer from this disorder. The cause of the disorder is still unknown but it is conjectured that changes in the levels of the hormone (serotonin) secretion may play an important role.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of PMDD usually manifest a week or two before the period starts and last a few days after it begins. The symptoms of PMDD are quite severe compared to PMS, these include –
Psychological symptoms:
- Depression (feeling of sadness or despair, lack of interest in daily activities & relationships), even thoughts of suicide
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings or crying spells
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anger
- Tension
- Tiredness or fatigue
Physiological symptoms:
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Sleeping difficulties
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Joint or muscle pain
- Appetite changes like food cravings (which may lead to binge eating in some)
Management:
- Making lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods, cutting back on salty and sugary items, and doing more physical activities.
- Practicing stress management techniques like relaxation techniques and meditation.
- Practicing self-care like spending time on activities one enjoys, be that cooking, watching movies, painting, planting, reading etc.
- Over the counter drugs may help to relieve physical symptoms like stomach cramps, breast tenderness, joint pain and headaches.
- Antidepressants like Sertraline and Fluoxetine may be helpful for the treatment of PMDD. However, only a healthcare professional should prescribe these medications.
So there’s no need to worry. Simply, being aware and taking care of oneself helps in managing this disorder.
