Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: When it’s more than just PMS

Most women are at least somewhat familiar with the miseries of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Nearly 75% of women experience symptoms of PMS during the two weeks before their menstrual periods. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is PMS with a twist. While the physical symptoms of both PMDD and PMS are the same — fatigue, swollen breasts, backache, headache, food cravings, bloating, constipation, diarrhea — PMDD includes emotional symptoms that are much more severe that the mood swings associated with PMS. It is characterized by extreme moodiness, irritability, depression, and anxiety that appear the week before a woman gets her period and go away a few days after it starts. Severe depression and feelings of hopelessness may occur. In especially severe cases, women may even feel suicidal. For these reasons, PMDD is an official psychiatric diagnosis. How do you know if you have PMDD or PMS? A symptom diary can help. Keep track of the dates of your period, and note when your symptoms occur and how severe they are. (Start with your next period — don’t try to recap the symptoms of your last cycle.) The next step is to meet with your doctor. She or he will review the pattern of your symptoms and try to rule out other causes for them. The good news is that PMDD can be treated. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It can take time, as well as trial and error, to find effective relief. Using “the pill” for PMS and PMDD My first recommendation for mild PMS ...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Women's Health PMDD PMS Premenstrual dysphoric disorder Source Type: news