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Living with PMDD

Loving Yourself & Acceptance

Completely Loving Myself by Accepting PMDD

“No more shame! No more fear! No more self-doubt!” After 10 years of coping with my depression, past trauma and alcohol addiction, it is time to come forward with my story. As a sexual assault survivor and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) warrior, I am breaking the stigma associated with mental illness in hope that my wisdom will encourage others to confidently reach out for help.

pmdd-love-uncondionally

Loving Your PMDD Unconditionally

When I realized I was suffering from a cycle of depression caused by my hormones, I could not have felt more broken. I had experienced a spell of depression in my teenage years, so it was easy to recognize the symptoms when they resurfaced. This time, however, my circumstances had changed a bit. This depression was not like the one I had experienced before – it was cyclical. Every week or two before my period I was buckling up for depression once again.

It’s NOT Just PMT…

It’s only taken nearly 20 years for a medical professional to remotely acknowledge that PMDD exists and that is my likely diagnosis, a young psychiatric nurse at that. After visiting several health professionals over the years about what mother nature does, “just PMT” they said.

pmdd-mindfulness

Finding Balance with PMDD

Since I was in my teens, I noticed that I’d have periods of depression or anxiety. I could never figure out that these feelings peaked a week or two before my period. A year or two ago I wouldn’t have been able to feel this shift. I want to share some things that have been working for me.

Today They Told Me I Have PMDD

Today they told me I have PMDD. It was no surprise really. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or distressed. Would knowing make me feel these emotions more intensely? Sometimes being less self-aware might be a blessing, but the truth is, I’m the opposite.

Woman Battling PMDD

Me and My PMDD Journey

In 2009, my female GP formally diagnosed me with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). I had never heard of this disorder, but I had definitely suffered from it. So, for the past ten years, I’ve been in a mad frenzy to discover all I can about this disorder and have learned even more about myself in the process.