Post by AdminAnnie on Sept 7, 2016 3:29:00 GMT
What to do if you suspect you have PMDD:
1) Obviously, go to a real doctor. I am not a doctor. This is advice from someone who started from scratch.
But maybe you want a little more evidence before booking the appointment. If so, you should be tracking symptoms either on paper like the Tracker provided by NAPMDD or with an app like Clue which boasts "31 tracking categories, including period, cramps, emotions, weight, skin, hair, sleep, exercise, energy, cravings and more" & "The guarantee of no flowers, butterflies, euphemisms or pink - ever." Be honest & diligent in tracking for multiple cycles.
2) Know The Symptoms
Gather symptom lists from multiple credible sources like:
NAPMDD - National Association for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library - PMDD - This symptom list, from what I've seen and in my opinion, is the most comprehensive.
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario - Frequently Asked Questions - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
American Academy of Family Physicians - Diagnosis and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
3) Track your symptoms & patterns.
Track everything & all the time. Good days, bad days, all the days. All the things. Even the 'meh', rate it 'meh'. Even the 'just fine'. It's all worth tracking. If you really do have PMDD, the tracking never really ends so I'm not going to say how long you should track for. Just always keep tracking everything forever, definitely talk to your doctor. I would recommend a health team, as it recognized in the DSM IV and categorized as a mood disorder, I would also recommend gynaecological care in addition, ideally that would communicate. It's under the jurisdiction of both psych and ob/gyn, so try to find a team or at least a good doctor you trust or that has has experience with PMDD, of course.
4) Lifestyle changes
If you decide to make "lifestyle", habit, diet & exercise, supplement or any other type of changes, be sure to note this in your tracking, as they may be variables that affect your symptoms (example: starting walking 10km 3x/wk for 3 mths - noticed reduced anger/irritability). Improving your lifestyle and habits is always recommended to reduce PMDD symptoms, just make note of them in your usual tracking. Don't beat yourself up if all your efforts do not relieve PMDD symptoms. You tried and are still overall healthier for it. Keep it up & try something new.
Other Advice:
Whilst tracking, try not to get too worked up (if you can help it, ha) and be overly symptomatic. Track the feelings honestly, and be honest when they are manageable and when they aren't. Sometimes an upset stomach or bloating is just that, and not necessarily a symptom of the disorder.
Be informed and knowledgable about the disorder, do proper research, be prepared for your doctors appointment(s).
Wait. Cry and pout and scream all you want, but every step will take lots of time. Be prepared for a slow process, depending on your severity.
Talk about it. With your doctor(s). With those close to you. Here. Blog about it. Don't be ashamed of your "PMS to the max" or "times a thousand" or however they want to describe it.
It's real. It sucks. There's help. Don't stop.
I originally wanted to title this "So Your Ovaries Hate You: An Introduction to PMDD"
Is there anything I've forgotten? Add below your advice to someone just starting out on the dizzying journey of introductory internet self-diagnosis of a rare and enigmatic disorder.
1) Obviously, go to a real doctor. I am not a doctor. This is advice from someone who started from scratch.
But maybe you want a little more evidence before booking the appointment. If so, you should be tracking symptoms either on paper like the Tracker provided by NAPMDD or with an app like Clue which boasts "31 tracking categories, including period, cramps, emotions, weight, skin, hair, sleep, exercise, energy, cravings and more" & "The guarantee of no flowers, butterflies, euphemisms or pink - ever." Be honest & diligent in tracking for multiple cycles.
2) Know The Symptoms
Gather symptom lists from multiple credible sources like:
NAPMDD - National Association for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library - PMDD - This symptom list, from what I've seen and in my opinion, is the most comprehensive.
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario - Frequently Asked Questions - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
American Academy of Family Physicians - Diagnosis and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
3) Track your symptoms & patterns.
Track everything & all the time. Good days, bad days, all the days. All the things. Even the 'meh', rate it 'meh'. Even the 'just fine'. It's all worth tracking. If you really do have PMDD, the tracking never really ends so I'm not going to say how long you should track for. Just always keep tracking everything forever, definitely talk to your doctor. I would recommend a health team, as it recognized in the DSM IV and categorized as a mood disorder, I would also recommend gynaecological care in addition, ideally that would communicate. It's under the jurisdiction of both psych and ob/gyn, so try to find a team or at least a good doctor you trust or that has has experience with PMDD, of course.
4) Lifestyle changes
If you decide to make "lifestyle", habit, diet & exercise, supplement or any other type of changes, be sure to note this in your tracking, as they may be variables that affect your symptoms (example: starting walking 10km 3x/wk for 3 mths - noticed reduced anger/irritability). Improving your lifestyle and habits is always recommended to reduce PMDD symptoms, just make note of them in your usual tracking. Don't beat yourself up if all your efforts do not relieve PMDD symptoms. You tried and are still overall healthier for it. Keep it up & try something new.
Other Advice:
Whilst tracking, try not to get too worked up (if you can help it, ha) and be overly symptomatic. Track the feelings honestly, and be honest when they are manageable and when they aren't. Sometimes an upset stomach or bloating is just that, and not necessarily a symptom of the disorder.
Be informed and knowledgable about the disorder, do proper research, be prepared for your doctors appointment(s).
Wait. Cry and pout and scream all you want, but every step will take lots of time. Be prepared for a slow process, depending on your severity.
Talk about it. With your doctor(s). With those close to you. Here. Blog about it. Don't be ashamed of your "PMS to the max" or "times a thousand" or however they want to describe it.
It's real. It sucks. There's help. Don't stop.
I originally wanted to title this "So Your Ovaries Hate You: An Introduction to PMDD"
Is there anything I've forgotten? Add below your advice to someone just starting out on the dizzying journey of introductory internet self-diagnosis of a rare and enigmatic disorder.