This article from 2019 talks about reproductive health issues that should be talked about more. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD first started to be diagnosed with that name around 2012 or 2013. Folks that were struggling with the symptoms of it knew about it, but had no words to describe it. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS. The article does not go int much detail about PMDD, but highlights other issues that are not talked about, even with our own doctors.
PMDD, according to the IAPMD is “a condition in which a woman suffers from severe depression, irritability, and tension before menstruation. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) may involve a wide range of physical or emotional symptoms, which are more severe and debilitating than those seen with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and which include at least one mood-related symptom. Symptoms usually stop when, or shortly after, menstruation begins.”
Joanna Ford Counseling uses EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing to alleviate some of the symptoms of PMDD. IAPMD also states that folks that deal with PMDD may have experienced childhood trauma. They also say childhood trauma may increase your sensitivity too the symptoms of PMDD. This makes for a challenging combination as many folks already know. If you are dealing with one of these issues or both, please reach out.
