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Do you suffer from PMDD?

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is real, and so is the help you can get.

PMDD awareness video made my Vicious Cycle: Making PMDD Visible project - with the kind support of Gia Allemand Foundation for PMDD. Please visit iapmd.org/resources for more detailed information and resources.

Are people constantly asking you what's wrong? Do you feel sad for no particular reason? Do the people around you think they are helping when they are trying to cheer you up, but deep down you know it really isn't helping. Do your family and friends label you as moody? Are having difficulty controlling your mood and you don't even understand why? 

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Did you know approximately 5 million women in the United States are living with PMDD every day?

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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. This misdiagnosis quite often is not out of any form of negligence on the part of your therapist or doctor; it merely comes from a place of unfamiliarity. PMDD is one of the hardest conditions to diagnose because the feature closely resembles those of depression, bipolar and borderline disorders. Take a look at the chart below, and you can see how many of the symptoms of PMDD overlap with other conditions, again making it difficult to quickly and accurately diagnose.

Bipolar

During manic phase

  • Euphoria or irritability

  • Increased energy and activity

  • Excessive talk; racing thoughts

  • Inflated self-esteem

  • Unusual energy; less need for sleep

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During depressive phase

  • Depressed mood and low self-esteem

  • Low energy levels and apathy

  • Sadness, loneliness, helplessness, guilt

  • Slow speech, fatigue, and poor coordination

  • Insomnia or oversleeping

  • Suicidal thoughts and feelings

  • Poor concentration

  • Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities

Borderline

  • An excessively happy or angry, irritated mood

  • More physical and mental energy and activity than normal

  • Racing thoughts and ideas

  • Talking more and faster

  • Making big plans

  • Risk taking

  • Impulsiveness (substance abuse, sex, spending, etc.)

  • Less sleep, but no feeling of being tired

  • Drop in energy

  • Lasting sadness

  • Less activity and energy

  • Restlessness and irritability

  • Problems concentrating and making decisions

  • Worry and anxiety

  • No interest in favorite activities

  • Feelings of guilt and hopelessness

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Change in appetite or sleep patterns

Depression

  • Trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

  • Fatigue

  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness

  • Pessimism and hopelessness

  • Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much

  • Irritability

  • Restlessness

  • Loss of interest in things once pleasurable, including sex

  • Overeating, or appetite loss

  • Aches, pains, headaches, or cramps that won't go away

  • Digestive problems that don't get better, even with treatment

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings

  • Suicidal thoughts or attempts

PMDD

  • Feelings of sadness, despair even thoughts of suicide

  • Anxiety

  • Tension

  • Trouble focusing

  • Low energy

  • Food cravings 

  • Feeling out of control

  • Panic Attacks

  • Mood Swings

  • Frequent Crying

  • Lack of Interest in daily activities and relationships

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Bloating

  • Breast tenderness

  • Headaches

  • Joint or muscle pain

Evidence-based research has determined that PMDD is treatable through psychotherapy techniques such as CBT, and mindfulness. A therapist can also assist you in making the appropriate lifestyle changes, such as eating habits, exercise and exploring natural remedies. We can also make referrals to qualified medical professionals that can prescribe medications when necessary. 

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If you think you or someone you know may have PMDD and we want to help. Please call our office today to schedule an appointment so you can begin to experience relief. You can also visit https://iapmd.org/toolkit and take this brief quiz.

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