I know there's been other PMS posts, but I'm wondering if I have PMDD

It's been about three weeks since I got out of the hospital for panic attacks. Since then, I have actually improved markedly until about 3 days ago. I had still been struggling with the anxiety but it was manageable.

My period is due in about 2 days, so I have attributed my increased anxiety to PMS. I have always struggled with horrible PMS symptoms that were related to my depression. Now after my recent bout of anxiety, I can barely function with the symptoms I am having. None of my coping skills are working like they usually do. I feel like when I first got out of the hospital and I was either crying or having anxiety attacks. I feel unable to cope at all, even though I logically know the symptoms will probably be better in a couple of days.

It's so extreme that I'm wondering if I have PMDD. I don't have health anxiety so I trust my judgment about this. I'm even thinking of getting on birth control to suppress the periods, but I don't know if that is a viable option with side effects.

I've read on the forums the various posts about how anxiety symptoms spike before the period. However, I was wondering if it's normal for them to spike so drastically that I can't function.

Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Av

Thank you for your message--it always helps to get support.

I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week, and I just made an appointment with an OBGYN. I just have to wait until then, which is difficult because my symptoms are extremely out of hand. I don't know whether having symptoms this bad is normal for women with anxiety or not.

Thank you for your post--it's good to know someone else is going through this.

I am taking anxiety medication--I'm on a pretty high dose of ativan, which I'm trying to taper off of because I hate being dependent on it. I also have atarax to take as needed.

The problem is that the medications aren't hitting all of my symptoms, because at least part of it is depression, which makes me so upset that I feel like I can't cope. I started an SSRI (lexapro) about a month ago but I think either it's at such a low dose that it isn't hitting my symptoms or it hasn't totally worked yet.

What helps you cope during these times?

Thank you for your kind wishes, Kitt. I put in a call to my psychiatrist as soon as I got your message. They promised to have a nurse call but no luck yet.

I hope you have a lovely New Year's Eve.

Av

Thank you cartman; it makes me feel better that someone else is going through what I am.

I'll try the same thing as you and keep reminding myself of the hormonal component and that it will get better.

I finally got in with a therapist and saw her today. She seems pretty certain it is PMDD. Ultimately, it's my gynecologist and psychiatrist who will decide whether it is feasible to go on birth control to suppress the period.

I hope you figure this out as well and if it is estrogen dominance and that you feel better.

Av

Thank you so much for your kind response.

I find that reading about anxiety helps me too--do you have any books or sites that you would recommend? I just bought "The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety" and "Panic Attacks Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick." I'm hoping to start them when my period starts and my anxiety is a little less extreme; right now it's really hard to concentrate.

I've been drinking peppermint tea and sleepytime tea. I've thought of trying Yogi kava tea but I need to talk to my psychiatrist first, given that kava can interact with the medications I'm taking.

I hope that this year is better for both of us, and I'm glad that you're seeing a therapist--I've heard from a lot of members here that it helps. So far I think it's been good for me but I need a little more time for it to be effective.

Anyways, thanks again for your post and Happy New Year's.

Av