Since April is Premenstrual Disorder Awareness Month, I’d like to open up about my experience with PMD.
Firstly, a bit about me… My name is Brittany and I am the Social Media Manager for Prague Integration. I am from St. Louis, Missouri and I moved to Prague in 2015, developing a deep appreciation for Prague and the vibrant expat community.
I have worked as a Social Media Manager, a bartender and server, in education and have strived to bring my passion for mental health advocacy to every aspect of my life. This diverse community experience, however, also opened my eyes to the challenges many face, including mental health struggles.
Putting my experience into words is no easy feat. Vulnerability has never been my strong suit, and the thought of sharing it with strangers online is downright terrifying. But here’s the thing, if my story can help one person to understand what they are going through and have that lightbulb moment, I will take it. Everyone deserves to know they’re not alone in their struggle.
The only way to describe it is like a storm brewing in my head. I am irritable and depressed, and my anxiety is at an all-time high, to the point of feeling almost paranoid. It is two weeks of debilitating mood swings. Often referred to as “severe PMS,” for those of us with PMD, it is much more than that. The symptoms can have a serious impact on your work, life, and relationships.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD or PMDD) is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While the exact cause is unknown, it may be an abnormal reaction to normal hormone changes that happen with each menstrual cycle. These changes can cause a serotonin deficiency, leading to the severe and chronic medical condition of PMD. Symptoms appear during the luteal phase, the week or two before menstruation, and end within a few days after your period starts [1].
PMD affects a staggering 1 in 20 women or people who menstruate worldwide. This hormone-related disorder goes beyond physical symptoms, also causing a range of mental health challenges.
That’s a significant number, yet PMD is often under-recognized and misdiagnosed.
I was diagnosed with PMD in my 20s, and it was as if everything suddenly clicked. I couldn’t understand how my friends all seemed to be coping so well while I struggled to get out of bed every couple of weeks. The almost manic-like happiness that happened before my luteal stage followed by the crippling depression and irritability that followed all made sense.
I remember sitting in my doctor’s office on that day and asking me if I had ever heard of PMD. I was more shocked that my general practitioner and therapist hadn’t heard of it or never told me about it before. However, in hindsight, that shouldn’t have surprised me. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that formal criteria for a specific diagnosis were proposed. Oftentimes, our symptoms have been misdiagnosed or dismissed altogether. That is why bringing awareness this April is so important, and why I wanted to share my story.
In addition to managing my diet, building a strong community in Prague has been one of the most important things that has helped me navigate my PMD journey. Having a support system provides social support and understanding. I’ve found that increasing protein and decreasing sugar intake during these phases can also be helpful. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is different, so talking to a medical professional is crucial to finding the right approach for you.
I wish I could sit here and tell you that I have found the perfect combination of coping mechanisms, but I am still figuring it out. I am not always successful, but I try to take it day by day.
If you think you might have PMD, please reach out to your doctor! There’s no shame in getting help. You are not alone.
Reference:
[1] Office on Women’s Health: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd
