Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Why It Goes Undiagnosed

There are a multitude of mental health diagnoses that go undiagnosed for various reasons. Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is one that not only goes undiagnosed, it often goes unrecognized due to limited research and fairly recent recognition as a diagnosable disorder. PMDD was recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in May of 2013, prior to that time PMDD was considered provisional as the research was lacking to fully identify the disorder.  There are still medical professionals that do not have the adequate knowledge around this disorder and do not recognize it as a primary cause of many women’s mental health struggles.

Defining PMDD

PMDD is a hormone-based mood disorder that coincides with a woman’s menstrual cycle.  Symptoms often begin during the luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle and end shortly after the onset of the period. PMDD is suspected to be a genetic disorder in which symptoms can worsen over the course of reproductive events like pregnancy, birth, menopause, etc.

Though PMDD is closely related to PMS it is a much more significant disturbance of mood and emotion than the typical symptoms of PMS. These symptoms often have a damaging impact on the lives and relationships of the women experiencing them.  Since PMDD shares such similar core traits as PMS it often goes undetected or unacknowledged and ascribed to “bad PMS,” or a low grade depressive or anxiety disorder that gets worse during menstruation. Needless to say many women were then left to feel shame and their symptoms and go on to be mistreated for an alternative disorder. 

What PMDD Looks Like

The lack of suitable medical research makes it hard to identify the exact symptoms of PMDD, and they can vary from woman to woman. Below are the most common symptoms of PMDD. Keep in mind the intensity level of these symptoms is higher than “common” PMS symptoms.

• Depression

• Sadness

• Hopelessness

• Anxiety / Panic Attacks

• Tension/Restlessness

• Extreme Sensitivity / Mood Swings

• Irritability

• Rage / Anger

• Suicidal Ideations

• Racing thoughts / Difficulty Concentration

• Relational Conflict

• Low Self-esteem / Negative self-talk

• Fatigue / Insomnia

• Self-Harming

What PMDD Feels Like

Because PMDD is a newer diagnosis and is not well known by the general public it can be hard to find people to talk to, leaving many women to suffer in silence. Many women describe PMDD as feeling like a stranger in your own body, being a version of themselves that feels so inauthentic. Many of the symptoms of PMDD mirror those of more severe depression and anxiety disorders including, hopelessness, mood swings, panic attacks, restlessness, suicidal ideations, rage, self-harming behaviors, irrational thinking, negative self-talk, and much more. The symptoms for PMDD vary from woman to woman and there are multiple treatments that have been shown to diminish the symptoms of the disorder. Natural remedies, changes in diet, prescription of an antidepressant during the luteal phase of the woman’s cycle, and cognitive behavioral therapy have all been shown to be effective means of treatment.  

The hope is that this disorder becomes more widely known and acknowledged so those women that suffer from it can find the help they need and not feel shame and stigma around their struggle.

Find support here and connect with other women that suffer from PMDD: PMDD Facebook Support Group

You are not alone in this, please reach out, we can help.

Start by scheduling a FREE 20-minute phone consultation HERE now, so we can chat about how you can be supported, today. 

 

Kimberly Ciardella, Psy.D. is the founder of The Path Wellness Center in El Dorado Hills, CA. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and specializes in working with couples and individuals experiencing the challenges of infertility and the grief and loss from miscarrying. Dr. Ciardella works with determined individuals to overcome anxiety and low self esteem, along with strengthening relationships and mending old relationship wounds. She works with couples who are facing parenting struggles that are working towards prioritizing their relationship in the midst of the chaos of raising a family. One of her biggest passions is helping women who are struggling with reproductive health challenges including supporting women who are living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Dr. Ciardella helps clients heal from past traumas in order to lead fulfilling and joy filled lives.