Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: what is it and how can it be relieved?

"It cost me friends and family time, I was thinking about suicide all the time, I had a plan". Lisa Lane, an American mother of three, recently told BBC about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

If we hear more and more about Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), a set of physical and emotional symptoms that occur before the menstrual period, we are less familiar with the PMDD, which affects however 3 to 8% of women of childbearing age.

This disorder is a severe form of PMS, which is characterized mainly by psychiatric symptoms. They usually occur during the luteal phase, that is, just after ovulation, and stop in the follicular phase, that is, at the time of menstruation.

Various physical and psychological symptoms

Symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder are varied and different depending on women, but they are characterized by depressed mood, anxiety, emotional instability or decreased interest in activities of daily living.

But other signs, whether psychological or physical, are also identified by some women, namely a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, headaches, bloating, breast pain or even sleep problems.

Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder may even have suicidal thoughts, as reported by Lisa Lane: "I used to plan my suicide in my head all the time because I thought I was not worthy to live with my children, to have a family".

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: how to treat it?

To relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder the psychotherapeutic approach is advised. Changes in diet and lifestyle may also help women with PDD.

In some cases, medication or hormonal treatment may be considered. This is the solution for which Lisa Lane's doctor has opted. Since then, the mother who has also had a hysterectomy, is much better: "I was fortunate to have the support of my doctor generalist and my gynecologist, who knew the TDPM well (...) I feel incredibly well. I found my life, the children do not eat more takeaway, I'm no longer in bed 24 hours a day crying I'm happy.

Sources: the site of The Swiss Medical Journal and fromBritish association Mind.

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