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» Conditions » Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) » Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
Premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (more often referred to as PMDD) affects more than 5% of menstruating women. PMDD is not the same as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). While PMS is characterized by relatively mild body and mood changes, the symptoms of PMDD are more extreme, and cause considerable and dramatic interference with the woman's ability to function at home and at work.
Symptoms of PMDD
The symptoms of PMDD are severe, persist throughout the two weeks leading up to the start of menses, and end after the first day or two of the woman's period. The symptoms are much like those of clinical depression, but the shorter duration and cyclical appearance of PMDD distinguishes the two. A woman is considered to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder if she experiences the following symptoms throughout a two-week time frame during most of the months of the past year.
- Feeling sad or hopeless.
- Feeling tense or anxious.
- Unstable mood with frequent tearfulness.
- Constant irritability and anger which increases conflicts with other people.
- Decreased interest in usual activities.
- Memory problems, difficulty concentrating.
- Fatigue, decreased energy.
- Changes in appetite, including cravings and overeating.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness).
- Feeling overwhelmed.
- Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness and swelling, abdominal cramps, headaches, bloating, weight gain, joint or muscle aches, diarrhea or constipation, swelling of the hands or feet, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Causes of PMDD
PMDD is mediated by hormones produced by the body and neurotransmitters in the brain. Women who have a family or personal history of depression, postpartum depression, or PMS are at a higher risk of having PMDD.
Changes in Lifestyle Can Help Alleviate Symptoms
There are simple changes in lifestyle that can bring some relief:
- Increasing aerobic exercise, for example brisk walking, jogging, or swimming.
- Changes in diet, including limiting caffeine, salt, and sugar; eating complex carbohydrates, such as grains, fruits, vegetables; eating low-fat, low-protein foods; consuming adequate calcium-at least 1,200 mg-the equivalent of three glasses of milk; avoiding bingeing and, instead, eating several small meals a day.
- Nutritional supplements such as Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin B6--which should always first be discussed with a physician to determine proper and safe dosages.
It's a good idea for women to keep a calendar of when the symptoms of PMDD occur, what they're like, and when her periods begin and end. Keeping such a record can help the woman and her therapist determine how her treatment is progressing.
Treatment for PMDD
PMDD is a real problem that a woman cannot just talk herself out of, nor should she have to endure its cyclical and debilitating effects. Women should not hesitate to get help. PMDD is highly treatable. There are therapists who are especially experienced at helping women who suffer from the condition. Other effective treatments can include medication (such as estrogen-containing birth control pills, antidepressants, or hormone therapy). Therapy offers significant help in relieving the symptoms of PMDD and addressing a woman's overall physical and emotional health and happiness.
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