question!!

I have just started noticing that a week from my period, my anxiety levels go way up. So does my nervousness. Is this normal? Does anyone else have this problem? It's like all my problems with panic and depression get 10x worse.

Intensified mood problems are very common a week before your period. I get really irritable/angry, other women I know get depressed, etc. So yeah -- it's likely normal hormonal fluctuations.

same here, a week before my period i'm like a bear shot in the ar$e. (of course no pun intended for our PC bears)


twilight

PMS produces emotional effects such as mood swings. I tend to get angry and sad easier than normal. So I'm more irritable, more depressed and prone to crying, and I'm not sure about my anxiety. I do have anxiety, but not sure if mine gets worse then or not. Anyway, though, I think it is normal as long as it doesn't get a WHOLE, WHOLE LOT worse. If it is extreme enough, you might have an unusual case. It could be premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). But just because you have some degree of it doesn't mean you have PMDD. Some degree of this is just run of the mill PMS.

I'm a mess during the week before my period. Depression and anxiety escalates... Even anger and irritability gets worse.

Hi there! While many do have any number of body responses to this hormonal change, it is not something that you should just put up with. Untreated hormonal issues are not a good thing. There are many medications that can help, and even more natural herbs. I'm not a medical doctor, but my own MD also uses a holistic approach. She suggest black or blue cohosh (depending upon your age) and EPO (evening primrose oil). You can google alternative treatments. Don't be afraid of them, some really take away your symptoms. Do call your MD office if you are taking any other medication, just like you would a new medicine. (Many medicines begin as herbs, remember? )

Feel better!

Ughh, this is SO common! You can try OTC herbs, like chamomile. Also, exercise helps, even just a walk around a few blocks. I know it sounds trite. But it helps sometimes. There's OTC stuff like Pamprin, but there's also prescription stuff I'm sure, like Sky said.

This may sound childish, but I find milk comforting and soothing. There's actually an ingredient in it that calms, which is why warm milk is sometimes used to help people sleep.

Avoid caffeine during that time since it'll make you more anxious and jittery. I know this is hard, esp. if you're a coffee addict like me! But just cutting back a bit can help with that.

I used to be much worse when I was in my teens and 20's. As I got older, it got less intense, but I still get it.

Yep, apparently it is quite common. Other members have stated that birth control pills help with these moods.

Oh yeah, I'm even more intolerable to myself and all my weird issues, mood swings, freaking out always becomes worse before my period. I absolutely hate it and I hate being a girl. It's like my own body is sabotaging me.

If this is bothersome to you the week before or during your period you can talk to your doctor about getting a Rx to help ease the disturbance during this time...... Sarafem for regular PMS & Celexa for Server PMS or PMDD.

Plus.... my doctor told me to eat two pieces of dark chocolate every day during my period - it really helps.