Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Introduction

PMDD is a serious condition that can affect your mood, energy and ability to function. If you have PMDD, you may experience severe emotional or physical symptoms during certain days of the month, usually right before your period starts. These symptoms include depression, anxiety and irritability. However, not everyone who experiences these symptoms has Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Some people may think they’re just having a bad week when in fact it’s something serious that needs treatment

What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It’s a mood disorder that affects 3-8% of women, and it’s not considered a mental illness. The symptoms occur during the two weeks before menstruation, but they don’t go away when your period arrives. They include:

• Mood swings (depression, anxiety)
• Fatigue
• Irritability or anger
• Problems with concentration or memory

Symptoms of PMDD

The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of depression, including:

• Depressed mood.
• Anxiety.
• Irritability and anger outbursts, which can be directed toward yourself or others (including your partner).
• Loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy, such as work, school or going out with friends.

Causes of PMDD

There are several causes of PMDD, including:

• Changes in hormone levels. The brain is affected by hormones, and this can cause changes in behavior and mood. For example, if you’re going through menopause or puberty (or both), your body’s production of estrogen may be reduced—which leads to lower levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These two neurotransmitters affect how we feel about ourselves as well as how we cope with stress and negative emotions. When you have PMDD symptoms like irritability or depression during pregnancy or postpartum time frame (the time between giving birth and when menstruation begins again), it’s likely that there are chemical changes going on within your body that affect your mind-body connection

Diagnosis of PMDD

The DSM-5 has a three-pronged approach to diagnosis of PMDD:

• Severity. The symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with daily activities and/or sleep.
• Frequency. The symptoms must occur during at least two cycles out of three in the same menstrual cycle (i.e., they can’t be just one day each month).
• Duration (duration) refers to how long the symptoms last for—this can range from a few days up to a few weeks or even months!

Treatment of PMDD

• Medications: There are several medications that have been approved by the FDA for treating PMDD. Some of these include:
• Fluctin (fluoxetine)
• Sarafem (folic acid)
• Clomipramine and hydroxyzine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs])

The most common side effects of these drugs are nausea and dry mouth, which can be treated by taking antacids or drinking plenty of water. If you experience any other unusual side effects—including increased anxiety, tremor, headaches or insomnia—it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible so that you can adjust your dosage accordingly.

PMDD is a serious condition that needs to be treated.

PMDD is a serious condition that needs to be treated. It can have an impact on your life and relationships, but there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.

It’s important to remember that PMDD isn’t your fault and there’s no cure for it yet, so don’t beat yourself up or blame yourself if you think you have PMDD.

Conclusion

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), is a serious condition that can affect women of all ages. If left untreated, PMDD can lead to serious health problems such as depression and anxiety. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about PMDD: what it is and how it affects your body; the symptoms of PMDD; causes of PMDD; diagnosis of PMDD; treatment options for this condition.