Have any of you ladies here dealt with Pre Menstrual Dyphoric Disorder?

This is newish to me, and seriously is causing me major problems. I am ok until a week and a half to two weeks before and then it hits. It is too the point where I am getting quite suicidal during this phase, and am even scared of myself, or scared to be left alone, in case I act on an impulse. This is not your normal PMS. This last one was really really bad. However now that is has passed I am pretty much right as rain, and totally frustrated.

I am just wondering if anyone has dealt with this, I read the usual treatment is antidepressants, which I am already taking an SSRI, so I don't know. I have noticed tho that the last year or so it has been getting worse and worse.

Really Bipolar is enough, I don't need this also. I am going to go see my dr. And I know I should not dx myself, but I have read over and over that there is a higher chance of having this with a mood disorder, and I do know that what I am going through is a bit extreme for PMS. Anyways, just putting it out there.

I know that menses can effect bipolar cycles, but I really feel it is more than that.

I definitely think I have this. I haven't been dx with it either, but I have pretty much all of the symptoms. It's horrible...

SoFragile,

I'm sorry your expeiriencing this as well. Do you cry the entire time? An I don't mean like cry hear and there but like the entire time. I can't get the tears to stop. I could just be brushing my teeth and I am crying. It's like a flood. When I had pms I would and get teary eyed. But this is so much worse. I feel so despairing and desperate.

[Tosspot]

Hi Anika!
I have PMDD.. Have had since I was 15. Generally I get very suicidal and impulsive about 6 days before my period. In the past I usually cut because I didn't understand what was going on. I used to track my periods and suicidal tendencies, once I was sure they went together it became easier to manage. When I start to have those feelings I just say "its ok, i get like this sometimes." Knowing that its my period causing problems and not me helped my to aknowledge my emotions but not act on them.

My PMDD is generally worse in winter (combined with SAD)
I take Lamictal for bipolar and the PMDD has been less since then, but I'm not sure if thats the reason.

I guess my advice would be to be gentle with yourself, know that " i get like this sometimes" and that PMDD is there but it doesn't mean you have to act on it.

((((Anika))))

Originally Posted by Anika

SoFragile,

I'm sorry your expeiriencing this as well. Do you cry the entire time? An I don't mean like cry hear and there but like the entire time. I can't get the tears to stop. I could just be brushing my teeth and I am crying. It's like a flood. When I had pms I would and get teary eyed. But this is so much worse. I feel so despairing and desperate.

No I don't cry because I've shut myself off from crying but everything makes me want to cry very badly. I'm feeling like that now. Does these symptoms last all through your period? Mine does...

Yes, it lasts all through my period, but that is only 2-3 days for me. I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist about it and my family doctor also. Hopefully they can figure something out. Also I think I should get my hormones checked out too, I have been dealing with anorexia for years, who knows what problems that has caused for my body my body. My weight has also dropped again over the last few months.

Well I hope this isn't going to be to bad for you SoFragile . I hate knowing others are suffering. I think Tosspot had some good advice for us both. That's the same thing I try to do with the Bipolar as well, and it does help.

Tosspot, I'm sorry you go through this too . Thank you for the advice and for sharing. and for the hug!!

[interested2012]

Originally Posted by Anika

Yes, it lasts all through my period, but that is only 2-3 days for me. I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist about it and my family doctor also. Hopefully they can figure something out. Also I think I should get my hormones checked out too, I have been dealing with anorexia for years, who knows what problems that has caused for my body my body. My weight has also dropped again over the last few months.

Well I hope this isn't going to be to bad for you SoFragile . I hate knowing others are suffering. I think Tosspot had some good advice for us both. That's the same thing I try to do with the Bipolar as well, and it does help.

Tosspot, I'm sorry you go through this too . Thank you for the advice and for sharing. and for the hug!!

I have terrible PMDD. I just grin and bear it, though it sucks. Yaz (a birth control pill) has been marketed as a treatment for PMDD. The company is currently embroiled in lawsuits because of the increased risk of stroke and other problems from this pill so it might not be something you'd want to risk but I thought I'd mention it. I've considered trying it but haven't yet.

I have never tried birth control pills. I'm 33 years old haha. I'm terrified of them. I did try The shot and did end up pregnant. Also I smoke so don't know if I'd be a good candidate either. I think the bipolar I what has made me afraid of the pill.

[Moose72]

I was misdiagnosed with PMDD not long before I was diagnosed with BP I.