When I was first diagnosed in January of 2016, I was a few months shy of my 40th birthday, struggling with my mental health, and absolutely clueless about this PMDD thing. I have never heard of the DSM-5, which I was told PMDD was on, and no idea the massive challenge that would befall me as I headed into my perimenopausal years. Now, nearly a decade later, PMDD is getting the PR it deserves – and we have a whole month to celebrate it.
Yep, that’s right: April is PMDD Awareness Month!
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe and often debilitating form of PMS that impacts about 8% of us menstruators, causing mental and physical health challenges. While it is becoming increasingly well-known, it is still largely misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Even those who suffer (like, ahem, me) often spend years uncertain of what to do with this condition, compromising our careers/work lives, relationships with our partners, families, and friends, and our happiness.
PMDD is not PMS
It’s easy to look at PMDD as a heightened version of PMS, but it’s so much more. While PMS can cause irritability, mood swings, and bloating, PMDD can cause extreme mood swings, fatigue that lasts for days, brain fog, hot flashes, memory problems, insomnia, depression, anxiety, rage, migraines, joint pain, digestive issues, and the most important symptom to never ignore: thoughts of suicide.
While PMS can be often be relieved by Tylenol and chocolate, PMDD is characterized by symptoms that interfere with interfere with daily life, work, relationships, and overall mental and physical health. PMDDers may find themselves unable to function normally during the luteal phase of their cycle (the time between ovulation and the start of their periods).
Why is PMDD Awareness Important?
PMDD is impacted by cultural norms. Women often suffer silently, and the idea of bad PMS is so pervasive in nearly every culture, most women are years before they even realize there’s a problem. Symptoms are dismissed as “just hormonal” or “part of being a woman.” Raising awareness during PMDD Awareness Month is vital to ensuring that more people understand that PMDD is not simply an emotional reaction to menstruation but a legitimate medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.
Raising Awareness: How You Can Help
During PMDD Awareness Month, individuals, organizations, and advocates work together to spread knowledge and offer support. Here are a few ways you can contribute to raising awareness:
- Share Your Story: If you live with PMDD, sharing your experience on social media or within your community can help others understand what you’re going through. Personal stories humanize the condition and make it easier for others to empathize. #PMDD #MyjourneywithPMDD
- Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about PMDD, its symptoms, and treatments. Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about it to help them understand the reality of living with this condition.
- Encourage Open Conversations: Create a safe space for dialogue about menstrual health. Start by discussing your experiences and encouraging others to do the same. The more we normalize these conversations, the more likely it is that people with PMDD will seek help.
Impart’s Commitment to PMDD Help
We started Impart Therapy with a goal to help sufferers through psychoeducation and therapy. For our part, to celebrate PMDD Awareness Month, we’re offering:
- Our first ever PMDD Partners Information Session – a free of charge Zoom event on April 10th at 7 pm EST to all the partners who love someone who suffers, we’ll be providing information, education, and support. To register, please visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IlW2HgYNSRmuEvZDqBWWkQ
- Our regular Monthly PMDD Support Group – a free of charge monthly Zoom group (this occurs the third Thursday of every month). Our next session is April 17th at 7 pm EST. To register for April: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0K_fTBKvSQm5l8oLu-eOQQ
About the Author: Nadine Evans
Nadine was diagnosed with PMDD nearly a decade ago and subsequently left her corporate career to become a therapist. She and other therapists at Impart Therapy all focus on PMDD treatment and therapy, and her book, Mastering the Monthly Madness, provides a DBT-focused guide to help with PMDD.
Looking for PMDD help? We have immediate availability!
