PMS, is something society accepts, although a lot of blame gets placed on it. You know, the “she’s so crabby, it must be pms” lines. Premenstrual Dyshporic Disorder is a severe form of PMS. Approximately 3 - 8% of women have this disorder.
PMDD (for short), has similar symptoms as your typical pms. However, for women with this disorder, they only have about 7 - 10 days without symptoms. Very intense feelings are a key component of PMDD and they interfere with work, relationships, school and day to day activities.
Symptoms include a significant depressive state, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, problems with concentrating, changes in sleep patterns and eating patterns, feelings of being overwhelmed, sadness and crying, panic attacks and some physical aches and pains.
As with many mental illnesses, there is a stigma attached. It is real, and is not just in our heads. It can be very embarrassing to admit to these mental challenges, so awareness becomes all the more important. A person with a mental illness, or disorder is not the only one who suffers or is affected by it. Everyone around you will notice one way or another.
Imagine, being at work or school, and not being able to control the tears. The smallest thing can set you off, and it might take a half hour to stop crying and calm down. Everything is monumental, and everything is personal. A conflict with a child, loved one or coworker, can send you into a state where you feel hopeless and worthless. Or the other extreme where you snap at them, for no reason, and then feel an incredible guilt for it after. The mood crashes can be devastating, and you might wonder when you will feel normal again, and for how long. The days are counted, both with dread and anticipation - when will I crash, and when will I feel better?
It is Mental Health Awareness Week this week. By talking about them and raising awareness, we can all develop some empathy toward those with a mental illness/disorder.
1 comment:
i have this disorder. it sucks
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