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Having charted my own spells of severe reactivity, occurring five to six days before menstruation and diminishing gradually as menstruation approaches, I have no question about the reality of PDD. For me, it began in my late 30s, when I thought it was "just depression." As more of my friends became perimenopausal, I began to pay more attention to my own cycle and thereby noticed the proximity to my period of these episodes of intense low self-esteem, near-paranoid thinking, and frantic behavior. I do suffer from these as a general condition, but they are under control until this spell before my period, when managing them becomes a Herculean effort. I charted this over several months, and the time is always within a week of menstruation.
Is anyone researching which hormones may trigger this, how these hormones are present in or interact with anxiety disorders and other depressive conditions in women, and how these hormones may be regulated? It strikes me that both PDD and post-partum depression have been noticed (whether to be dismissed or to be acknowledged) for quite a while, but we are still hearing that "no one knows." Shouldn't someone be trying to know?
I am so glad I found this site! I have been suffering from what sounds like PDD for years and have suffered in silence most times, thinking that it was just me. I turned 40 this year and the symptoms have steadily gotten worse. This last month I just couldnt take it anymore - the suicidal thoughts and not wanting to live anymore just got too much. I am seeking Eastern Medicine to help with the solution and have an appointment this Thursday! I am really hopeful that maybe I can feel like a normal person finally.
I have been on birth control pills for over 14 years. During this time, I have had the symptoms of PDD while on the pill. The symptoms got more intense over the years. For a few months, I went off the pill just to see what would happen. The symptoms ameliorated (placebo effect?) and I asked my doctor for a different prescription at the next annual check-up. I still seem to be dealing with the depression which feels like it has slowly gotten worse. There are some significant life issues that have happened in the last year, but through all that, I have gotten counselling and am practicing the coping techniques for the stressors. But still, I feel this undercurrent of depression and have jitters in my hands. Could these be related to the pill?
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I completley agree this is hormonal. I have been on the pill for 12 yrs. Came off 2 months ago. Just had my 2nd menstual cycle from hell lasting 6 days. I no longer wanted to be around, cried upto 3 times a day, was angry and short fused, anxious, lacked energy, my body ached like i had ran a marathon!! i felt out of control like i was going to have a break down. I am so relived i have found that there is a reason for my feeling like this. I shall now approach my G.P,.