[brighteyesxo]

I used to think I was depressed. Now I think I might just have PMDD because all my mood problems flare up around my cycle. Anyway I don't want to say too much because I don't know if it's allowed here. This is basically it:

I'm 16 years old and have been feeling not so great lately. Mood swings, hopelessness, basically textbook depression. The only thing is that it would go away for periods of time, and mostly come back during my ~monthly cycle. The mood swings were extreme though and worried me. I currently am on my period and just now I was hit with this wave of emotion. I just felt like I have no friends that really care about me, that I'm too anti-social to ever really make friends because people don't like to do all of the work, and that no one will ever really care deeply about me. I have had somewhat "suicidal" thoughts before, but never really made a serious plan. I don't want to say too much here because I don't want to get in trouble.

Please don't tell me to just "talk to a doctor" or "talk to my parents" because it's not as easy as that. I'm not ready for that yet. I just told my mom I think I might have PMDD and she barely seemed interested. I know you mean well, but if you tell me to "just talk to my parents" it won't help me.

Any advice? thanks.

Hello, brighteyesxo. You describe some troubling symptoms. My advice is when you are ready to have a serious talk with your parents and a doctor, I hope you do so.

[Michah]

Hi there.....and warm welcome!

I was dx with PMDD a few months ago along with a few other endocrine issues. A gyneacologist might be something to consider, but you stress your difficulties in discussing this with your parents or doctor......

So, unlike clinical or endogenous depression it is cyclic and can have manifestions that seem to exist out of depression.......hallucinations, mild psychotic behaviour, rage, mood swings and so on.....in saying this, the depression forum would be a good place to start, dear one. There is much good support there, no matter what you are feeling http://forums.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

I also stress that there may be other factors at play. If this is severly hampering your function, or becomes unbearable, I would recommend STRONGLY that you see a doctor......to rule out any other factors, psychiatric or otherwise. Your health and safety is # 1 priority.

If it is PMDD you are dealing with, there are many ways of controlling the symptoms. There is hormone replacement(the pill), anti-depressants, and natural therapies, but you really need to get help from a doctor to get the right treatment and a holistic perspective. You do not need to suffer this

Take good care of your precious self.......and try and get some professional help with this. It is very important.

In stillness,

Michah

[slowinmi]

brighteyesxo,

Is there a therapist, school counselor, or priest/pastor that you could speak with about this? If you have PMDD, this suggestion won't help to control your symptoms, but they may be able to counsel you for a time and even give you suggestions on how to speak with your parents.

I wish you good luck with this. I hope you find some support and help.