PMS Question for the ladies

I'm not sure if this question was meant for this section, but I decided this seemed like the most appropriate place.

My question is, before and during, the monthly cycle, is it normal to have a complete change of personality and behaviors?

I scare myself around this time. I turn into a horrible, mean, and kind of scary psychotic. I yell, begin doing compulsive things like cleaning and showering, and I get severely low. I just don't feel it's normal. But then again I could be paranoid.

IDK, tell me what you think please.

There's an actual name for this and I can't think of what it's called. Argh! Ah ha, here it is. It's premenstrual dysphoric disorder

This link should give you some more info.
PMDD info

This is great, thank you so much for this link. It answers alot of questions for me. During my therapeutic appointment I will definitely bring this up. I filled out the screener and I checked every single one. So I definitely think I should mention this. I really appreciate your help Wi.

Not a problem. Hope it helps.

Dear Desirae, ((((((( HUGS ))))))) ~ ~ ~ ((((((( HUGS )))))))

YES, W-fighter is right is it probably PMDD, basically PMS on Steroids and with a Death Wish one week out of every month.
Please talk to your doctor about this issue for it easily controlled with Mood Swing medicines.... Sarafem & Celexa work great for it - I am presently taking Celexa for my PMDD & Axienty Disorder (and) I am in heaven more than not during my monthly cycle.

BTW - I have been dealing & coping with the effects of PMDD for 15 years now, so please feel free to PM me with any questions you may have.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Here is a COPY of a post I placed on here about 6 months ago and I thought you might be able to receive some understanding from it today....... God Bless.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

*****************************

Yes, PMS is real and over five million women are in the dark over the severe hormonal imbalance affecting them 10 days out of every month. They too are frightened by the violent fluctuations in mood, depression, and weight gain – women do not always what is causing this to happen to them.
I like the description I came across on PMS and the emotional phase a woman goes through using the seasons.

PHASE 1 – The Spring Phase:
The phase starts with the blood flow of the menstrual cycle and is dominated by estrogen. During this time a woman feels bright and fresh like spring. (This is after the cramps and aches associated with menstruation have stopped) New surges of life burst inside her. She is positive, assertive, outgoing, happy, energetic and well coordinated. Little threatens her, and she can accomplish almost any thing. Her relationship wither husband and kids are delightful and relaxed. The tension she felt prior to her period vanishes, and life is a whole new ball game.

PHASE 2 – The Summer Phase:
This a peaceful, happy, affirming, creative time of the month. A woman has the “warm fuzzies” for her family and friends and is generally pleased with life. She is a bit less assertive than in the spring phase but able to accomplish much. Her body is moving toward liberating an egg for fertilization. Estrogen continues to dominate.

PHASE 3 – The Midsummer Phase
Midsummer is that time during which ovulation occurs. The egg leaves the ovary for possible fertilization. A woman usually feels euphoric, motherly, peaceful, sensual, and integrative. Everything in life seems absolutely wonderful. She loves her husband and kids, who can do no wrong. All of these feelings are influenced by progesterone.

PHASE 4 – The Fall Phase:
Immediately after ovulation a woman begins to slowly lose energy as she enters the fall phase. Slight depression or the doldrums set in and she isn’t as enthusiastic about life as she was a few days ago. Suddenly her husband and children don’t seem quite so lovable. Assertiveness is a thing of the past and her confidence is droopy. It is generally suspected that during the fall and winter phase, hormones fluctuations are responsible for a host of unpleasant symptoms.

PHASE 5 – The Winter Phase:
Winter sets in around the fourth week of the menstrual month, and many women become downright nasty. There are typical symptoms associated with this phase: sluggish, depressed, irritable, weepy, outburst of emotions, jumpiness, expressed resentment, expressed hostility, suspicious, frustration, sudden moods swings, irrational, supersensitive, abnormally hungry, crying over everything (the list goes on). Fortunately the menstrual flow is only a few days away and a woman will feel quite different once this begins.

That makes a lot of sense to me. I feel almost exactly that way during my cycle.

I thought it was extremely weird how one day my pants fit great and I feel as though I am losing a bit of weight, then all of a sudden I'm a chobbo and my pants are hardly wearable. It happened with in a few days.

I also eat a lot during this time....so much I can get sick.

I mentioned this at my therapy appointment this morning and they prescribed some meds to try out. I really hope it has some affect because feeling like this is almost intolerable

Thanks a lot for that analysis on "the dreaded cycle", it fits the definition almost perfectly.

Makes soooo much sense.....almost to much sense.