PMDD: It’s PMS, Only Worse
Your friends may joke about their bouts
with a symptom or two of the common
premenstrual syndrome (PMS). But if
you regularly dread “that” time of the
month, your own premenstrual symptoms
may be no laughing matter. You
could have a condition called premenstrual
dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.
How to Recognize PMDD
In PMDD, as in PMS, premenstrual symptoms appear like clockwork about one week before your period and diminish or stop once bleeding begins. But unlike PMS, in which monthly symptoms vary in intensity, PMDD symptoms are severe enough to disturb your life. You may have PMDD if each new cycle heralds at least five of the following symptoms:- Sadness or despair
- High anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Intense mood swings
- Angry outbursts
- Less interest in activities and people
- Trouble concentrating
- Fatigue
- Binge eating or cravings
- Sleeping problems
- Feeling out of control
- Bloating, tender breasts, headaches or joint or muscle pain
Putting PMDD in Its Place
Experts think that sensitivity to normal hormonal shifts triggers PMS. The much rarer condition of PMDD could stem from a problem with a brain chemical called serotonin. So medical treatments for PMDD may include antidepressants. Counseling, group therapy or stress management can help, too.Here are some other ways to ease premenstrual misery:
- Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Eat healthy foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein.
- Limit sugar, salt and fat.
- Try eating several small meals every day instead of three large ones.
- Ration caffeine to calm tension and soothe breast soreness.
- Don’t drink alcohol before your period.
- Try to get enough sleep.
- Quit smoking.
