Monthly anxiety and hormonal craziness

Hi all,

So as of recent I have been noticing that right before and during my period my anxiety goes through the roof. Not in a panic attack way but I just get this uncomfortable feeling and I have cry attacks and get depressed. I am already on Lexapro 10 mg. I would have thought this would help but maybe not. I went off birth control about 5 months ago because I believed that it was causing some of the anxiety issues that I was having but am now wondering if going back on a low dose pill is the way to go. Has anyone else experienced this? The cry attack I had this morning was insane. Last night I felt completely out of it, super aggressive and moody. Any help or prior experience with this is hugely appreciated. Thanks!

It is call PMDD I suffer with this every time it usually starts the week before the cycle. It is a imbalance of everything from hormones to for some, a in balance of serotonin in the brain and anxiety is extremely worse around this time for most women. Many take medication for this I only speak from exsperience I've dealt with it for years, and it is no fun to feel like you're about to lose your mind. Just remember you won't and talk to your obgyn, to see what they can do to help you best of luck. I am not a doctor just speaking from experience and researching, and as well as my doctors perspective.

Thank you all! I started running in the morning this morning and it had a really big impact on my anxiety levels today. I am going to follow the Cycle Diet as well and try and eliminate gluten, dairy and sugar and see what that does.

Cola,

I am sorry you have had a rough time with the changes your body is going through...it does take some time to adjust, and get back to the regular rhythm of your cycles and pre-partum normalcy.

Childbirth and getting used to a fairly new med regimen is naturally going to bring about some changes...and then add in disrupted sleep patterns which are also likely happening...all contribute to increased anxiety for you now.

I encourage you to use self help coping skills to aid in offset of the mental and physical stress...and help you to feel your best. Continuing the exercise and diet changes is key as well...so keep up the good work!

Enjoying your new baby should be a joy...and not disrupted by anxiety! I hope that you can start to feel better soon with time and continued anxiety management strategies.:)

Keep posting and we will keep you encouraged!

S.C.