It’s finals week. Empty coffee cups stack up, and deadlines feel like they’re piling on top of me. For most students, this is already a stressful time—papers to write, exams to cram for, and an overwhelming pressure to perform. But for women with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), like myself, finals can feel even more intense when it hits a week or two before my period. PMDD isn’t just the typical PMS (premenstrual syndrome) that many women experience before their period.
While PMS might bring some discomfort, mood swings, or mild fatigue, PMDD is a severe form of PMS that takes everything to the extreme. It amplifies every emotion, every task, and makes even the simplest responsibilities feel impossible to manage. The menstrual cycle affects everyone differently, but for many of us, each phase brings shifts in our energy and brain chemistry. For those of us with PMDD, when our period ends, during the follicular phase, we often feel a surge of motivation, a readiness to take on the world. Deadlines seem manageable, projects feel exciting, and we feel on top of our game. Then comes ovulation—the cycle’s peak, when energy is high, creativity flows, and we feel unstoppable. But once the luteal phase hits, everything changes. Tasks that felt achievable just a week ago now seem overwhelming, sometimes even unbearable.
It’s not just the work—it’s the emotional weight that comes with it. Getting out of bed becomes a battle. Mornings that once brought a sense of renewal now bring a rush of anxiety. The thought of facing the day, the tasks, the expectations, feels paralyzing. I often catch myself longing for the days when I could stay in bed, pretend I was sick, and face no repercussions for my absence. But I can’t. I have responsibilities now.
Yet my PMDD doesn’t care? Instead, it whispers, “What’s the point of this… What’s the point of anything?” In this phase, emotional dysregulation takes over. I might pick a fight with my partner, lose days spiraling deeper into procrastination, or abandon self-care entirely. I often feel disconnected from my body, dreading simple routines like even washing my face or brushing my teeth, let alone finding the motivation to exercise? Depression creeps in, whispering that nothing I do is ever good enough. Doubt fills my mind, and the smallest setbacks feel like insurmountable obstacles. By the time my period arrives, I’m left buried under a mountain of unfinished tasks, exhaustion, and the collateral damage of my emotional turmoil.
Stress during finals only magnifies everything, and PMDD during finals feels impossible. The pressure of looming deadlines disrupts an already fragile hormonal balance, pushing me further into overwhelm. It’s a vicious cycle of frustration, guilt, and self-doubt. I get stuck in endless overthinking, fixating on the smallest details of a paper or exam while everything else piles up. Instead of tackling my to-do list, I find myself scrolling on social media or online shopping, seeking that rush of dopamine, fully aware I’m only making things harder for myself. Over time, I’ve learned something crucial: the key is to understand these patterns and work with them, rather than against them. During the follicular and ovulation phases, when I feel energized and capable, I make the most of this burst of energy by front-loading as much of my workload as possible.
These are the times when I feel sharp and productive, so I lean into that momentum. But when the luteal phase arrives, I’ve learned to be kinder to myself. I break tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and give myself permission to take more breaks, consciously releasing any lingering guilt. PMDD during finals can be brutal, but it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. Understanding how your cycle impacts your mood and productivity—both by expecting it and equipping yourself with tools to manage moments of peak emotional intensity—is a game-changer.
If you’re a student with PMDD, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to struggle, but it’s also possible to thrive.
About Payton Newby, Author
Payton is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), currently completing her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She specializes in ADHD, PMDD, anxiety, and depression, offering therapy for adults, families, couples, teens/young adults, and children (ages 6 and older). Click here to learn more about Payton.
