PMDD and Anxiety

Is anyone on here familiar with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)? I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I can tell that my anxiety is 100x worse the week before my period and a few days into it. I'm not sure if you can be diagnosed with it if you already have severe anxiety? I do know that when I'm on birth control, it does help it not be as bad during that time, although I can't be on bc right now for other reasons. I have an appointment with my Obgyn this week, so I was just curious. Thanks!

Same thing happens to me....glad I'm not alone.

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I'm right with you girl. My BC def helps. Are you on any anxiety meds?

I've just been diagnosed with PMDD too, this is the first cycle since the diagnosis and I am monitoring myself very carefully. The anxiety was off the charts yesterday, I couldnt believe it, and I was so disappointed. I have been able to control my anxiety very very well so it felt like a huge step backwards when it hit me so hard. I dont have an appointment to get it sorted until december so I upped my antidepressant until they give me something else to help with it. Its not been so bad today, but I am still recovering from yesterday. I forgot how much extremely high anxiety takes it out of you.

So you can get diagnosed with anxiety and Pmdd? And no I'm not on any anxiety meds.

I was diagnosed with both. PMDD, GAD and Depression. So, over the years I have been on anxiety meds and birth control, as well. I'm not on birth control anymore and my PMDD symptoms have come down a great deal. Anxiety was worse during period and I was also way more emotional, sensitive than expected during that time. One of the natural things that is helping me is a book called WOMAN CODE by Alisa Vitti. It's a book about our endocrine system and part of it deals with menstrual cycle-she recommends different food groups and specific foods to take during each phase of your menstrual cycle and I have been following that for the last 3 months. I find that my periods are less stressful, less painful now ans my mood-swings are not so glaring. Worth a try- hope it helps! And you're definitely not alone in this! Hugs!

Thanks! I'll let you know if anything is said at my appointment.

I have Bi Polar and PMDD, I get absolutely suicidal and dangerous at that time of the month plus a heap of physical symptoms. I am stable the rest of the month and cant even imagine wanting to take my own life. It only started happening the last 7 months. Its much more severe than having a little bit of anxiety or agitation (which can be normal). If you are able to go on hormonal birth control that sounds like a great option. Unfortunately not an option for me.

I can't get on birth control for at least 3 more months due to other reasons.

I got a prescription for birth control to start in January after I get the okay to go back on it. She was very nice and understanding to me about the self harming, but we didn't talk about PMDD. Guess it's something I'll just keep in the back of my mind about and deal with it later.