From Anxiety to Irritability: The Spectrum of PMDD Symptoms

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms is varied depending on the person.

I remember going through PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder) before my period. For 1-2 weeks I was a total mess (moreso than ever).

Moreover, my emotions were all over the place. Having PMDD on top of having mental illnesses lead for an interesting life, to say the least.

Also, I would get really bad headaches and muscle aches. Back then, you basically took over-the-counter meds which really didn’t help.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health condition that causes severe emotional and physical symptoms in the week or two before a woman’s period.

In brief, PMDD is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but the symptoms are more intense and can have a greater negative impact on a woman’s life.

PMDD Diagnosis

Given that, diagnosing PMDD has to meet certain criteria over the course of a year:

Symptoms: During most menstrual cycles, you must experience at least five of the following symptoms for the week before your period, and they must stop within a few days after your period starts:
- Mood: Specifically depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, self-deprecating thoughts, anxiety, tension, feelings of being “keyed up” or “on edge”, mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, increased sensitivity to rejection
- Behavior: Irritability, anger, increased interpersonal conflicts, sudden mood changes, loss of interest in daily activities
- Other: Difficulty concentrating, lethargy, easy fatigability, lack of energy, change in appetite, overeating, specific food cravings, hypersomnia or insomnia. Also, sense of being overwhelmed or out of control, physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, bloating, weight gain
Distress: Symptoms must be linked to significant distress or disturb your ability to function in social, work, or other situations.
Other conditions: Symptoms are not related to or made worse by another health condition.

To diagnose PMDD, your doctor may also ask about your medical history, lifestyle, and perform a physical examination and blood tests.

The doctor may ask you to keep a journal or diary of your symptoms for several months.

Causes of PMDD

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms is widely varied. The exact cause of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is unknown, but there are several possible causes:

Hormonal Changes

Women with PMDD may be more sensitive to hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle, which can cause a serotonin deficiency. Nonetheless, serotonin is a brain chemical that affects mood and can narrow blood vessels, and its levels change throughout the menstrual cycle.

Genetics

Having a close relative with PMDD may increase your risk of developing it. I believe my mother had it, but it was hard to tell because of the mental illnesses.

Mood Disorders

If you or a family member has depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, you may be more likely to experience PMDD.

Other Factors

Other factors that may play a role include alcohol or substance abuse, thyroid disorders, being a heavier person and lack of exercise. Also, deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals.

Symptoms of PMDD

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms vairies depending upon the woman.

Altogether, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can significantly impact daily life.

Here are 10 common symptoms of PMDD:

Severe Mood Swings

Intense emotional fluctuations, including feelings of sadness, irritability, or anger. Accordingly, I couldn’t control my emotions.

One minute I’d be yelling at someone the next minute, I was sobbing. I was never in the middle. To top it off, I started taking psych meds when I was 16.

So, my body wasn’t used to taking them like I am now. They made me a walking time bomb. I was always on edge.

Depression

Persistent feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness that can interfere with daily activities. I often wondered if that’s how my depression started out.

I was diagnosed with depression before the other diagnoses. Basically, I always felt worthless and hopeless about everything.

I believe it was a combination of depression and PMDD that caused this. I was so suicidal and had no one to talk to (family or friends). Therefore, I don’t know how I made it.

Anxiety

Heighteninged levels of anxiety or tension, often accompany the feelings of being it being overwhelming. I felt overwhelmed with school and working also.

The anxiety was out of this world because I had double the anxiety I have now. As I grew older the anxiety was there, but it was less.

And then it increased again about 5 years ago due to Parkinson’s disease. I became very self aware of the tremors and tics I was experiencing.

Hence, I felt like everyone could see them and were staring at me, which wasn’t true.

Fatigue

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can be extreme depending on the circumstances.

Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that can affect motivation and productivity. Motivating me during PMDD was very difficult.

Although, I believe a lot of it had to do with the depression. Isn’t it funny how one thing can affect so many parts of your life. I look back on it now and I can see that.

As a metter of fact, I could have slept 24/7 if I had been given the chance. When I was living on my own a few years back (when I had the schizo episodes) that’s mostly what I did.

Sleep Disturbances

Insomnia or excessive sleeping, leading to further fatigue and mood issues. Nowadays, I have insomnia, but back then, I was sleeping too much.

The PMDD and depression made me so tired, I slept every chance I could get. It was hard staying awake when I did go to school.

I worked in a restaurant when I first started working and sometimes I worked alone for a few hours. Consequently, I would sleep during those few hours. I didn’t care.

Physical Symptoms

Symptoms such as headaches, joint or muscle pain, and breast tenderness. My knees kept filling up with fluid, and then I would have to have them drained with a thick needle.

Oh my god, did that hurt. I know it hurt because I have a high tolerence for pain. Also, I used to get bad headaches.

At length, the headaches were so bad, I was put on a med that was stronger than the over-the-counter medicine at that time.

Changes in Appetite

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can be significant enough to change your appetitie.

Significant changes in eating habits, including cravings for specific foods or overeating. I worked in a frozen yogurt place at the time, and was constantly eating it.

I would make myself a waffle cone and put a bunch of candies on it. Those were the days. I was moving around more those days than nowadays, so I burned it off.

I’ve gained quite a bit of weight because I’m not moving around as much these days (Parkinson’s). Subsequently, I wish I could go back to the old days in weight-wise respect.

Difficulty Concentrating

Trouble focusing or making decisions, often referred to as “brain fog.” I have that more so now than I did back then.

Although, during school I had problems focusing on whatever we were doing. I would begin to daydream that I was somewhere else.

I more so now have the “brain fog” again because of the Parkinson’s. Sometimes while typing these posts, I space out or I forget what I’m writing about.

Loss of Interest

A marked decrease in interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. I used to like to draw, but that kind of fell to the wayside. I was good at it, also.

One thing that has stayed with me throughout my life is the love of music. I learned how to play it and I have always listened intently on what certain messages the songs were saying.

Therefore, I always let the music speak for me when I couldn’t. I don’t play anymore, but I have listened to very different varieties of music throughout my life. Whatever speaks to me.

Irritability or Anger

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can be significant to people around you.

Increased irritability or anger, often leading to conflicts in personal or professional relationships. I’ve lost a lot of friends over the years. Even close ones.

With PMDD, I alienated a few of my friends when I was in school. Who would want to be around a bitter, angry person?

These days, I’m more mellow. It doesn’t do anyone any good to be bitter and angry all the time.

Managing PMDD

PMDD medication

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can be managed with meds.

Emphatically, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) can be treated with various medications.

Here are five types of medications commonly used:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Hence, these are often the first line of treatment for PMDD. Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
Hormonal Treatments: Hormonal therapies, such as birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin, can help regulate hormone levels and alleviate symptoms.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonists: Concurrently, medications like leuprolide can be used in severe cases to suppress ovarian function and reduce PMDD symptoms.
Anxiolytics: Medications such as benzodiazepines may be used on a short-term basis to manage anxiety and agitation associated with PMDD.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Also, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help alleviate physical symptoms such as cramps and headaches.

Natural Remedies for PMDD

Here are three natural remedies that may help alleviate symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):

Dietary Changes: Incorporating a balanced diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can help stabilize mood and energy levels. Reducing caffeine, sugar, and processed foods may also alleviate symptoms.
Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or aerobic exercises, can improve mood, reduce stress, and help manage PMDD symptoms. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage stress and improve emotional well-being. Engaging in these techniques regularly may help reduce the severity of PMDD symptoms.

Herbal Remedies for PMDD

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can be can be managed with herbal remedies. Here are five herbal remedies that are commonly considered for managing symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):

Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus): Thus, this herb is often used to help balance hormones and may reduce symptoms of PMDD.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Known for its potential antidepressant effects, St. John’s Wort may help alleviate mood-related symptoms of PMDD.
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis): Comparatively, this oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is thought to help with breast tenderness and mood swings associated with PMDD.
Ginkgo Biloba: This herb is believed to improve mood and cognitive function and may help with emotional symptoms of PMDD.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): At the same time, often used for its calming effects, lemon balm may help reduce anxiety and irritability linked to PMDD.

Sum It All Up

From anxiety to irritability: the spectrum of PMDD symptoms can impact people around you. Since having an IUD placed in me 5 years ago, my PMDD is nonexistant.

It’s the difference between night and day. I no longer have the severe mood swings.

My anxiety was worse during that period and at that time, I wasn’t on any medication for it. I just thought it was part of PMDD.

Actually, my whole demeanor has changed. Consequently, I turned into someone I didn’t recognize. It’s funny, I remember growing up, my mother was the same way.

Therefore, if you know a woman who changes like that, be kind to them. She might be going through PMDD. Until next time…

Article About PMDD

-Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9132-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd

-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/getting-a-pmdd-diagnosis

-What can I take for PMDD?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321965#takeaway

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy,
“One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions”

“I find it tremendously hard to deal with myself when I’m having PMDD, and having to deal with those dealing with me is a whole other mess.”― Sara McGinnis, We Need To Talk About PMDD: Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”— Neale Donald Walsch

“Two things define you: Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.”— Imam Ali

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”— Jim Watkins