by lilyfairy » Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:51 am
I have never experienced psychosis, but I do have PMDD. I've never had a psychiatrist (even a female one) acknowledge it- it was my therapist who diagnosed it about 3 years ago (he is qualified to diagnose) after I had a lightbulb moment connecting my suicidal episodes and my cycle. I've dealt with depression/anxiety since I was 15/16 years old- I'm now 32. I've not been misdiagnosed with something else as a result of my PMDD, but the diagnosis was just plain missed and fobbed off as depression.
My depression would become more extreme starting a week before my period started and continuing for two weeks. It was hell. I'd end up suicidal for no reason- the most extreme days were for about 4 days from the start of my period- sit and stare at the wall type depression. Sometimes maybe a touch of mild paranoia with it, and probably a whole load of anxiety too- I can't always recognise my anxiety. It went with severe pain- my GP suspected I have endometriosis, but didn't want to put me through surgery given everything else I was trying to cope with.
I take the pill continuously to help control the mood issues and pain- it's made an enormous difference to my ability to function. I no longer have the extreme episodes- I've no idea how long they had been there really, evidently a long time, and I think it was worsening each year. A nurse treating me one day was horrified at what I was dealing with and calling "normal"- I'd always had male GP's who didn't get it and would just shove painkillers at me for the pain and antidepressants I couldn't tolerate. Then throw their hands in the air. The pill is not a solution for everyone with PMDD- I know that it helps some women and not others. Some women find antidepressants taken before/around that part of their cycle helps (not a solution for me personally).
The long term effects of the pill is something that has been pointed out to me, but really, I'll risk it rather than deal with the alternative of not taking it.
If psychiatrists are not interested in exploring the idea further, perhaps it would be worth considering seeing doctor with an interest in women's health?
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