I've seen jokes about PMS (PMDD) and periods quite frequently on this site...and it made me realize that we've never actually discussed these things in an open forum (at least as far back as I remember.) It does help, sometimes, to laugh about these things, but I've also seen some mean-spirited jokes that could embarrass someone to the point of not getting treatment if they need it.

I stumbled upon something called PMDD that might be of interest to some...

PMDD

PMS has become a household word and the brunt of many jokes. According to a recent survey, many women remain unaware of its more severe form, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. Among 500 women recently surveyed, 8 out of 10 did not know that severe premenstrual problems have been officially classified as PMDD, nor did they know that such problems can be diagnosed and treated. Even more disturbing is that the one in 4 respondents who described their premenstrual symptoms as strong or severe were among those unaware of PMDD.

“We’ve got to educate women that they do not have to tolerate debilitating premenstrual symptoms,” said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, Executive Director of the Society for Women’s Health Research, which commissioned the Yankelovich Partners survey (sponsored by a grant from Eli Lilly, manufacturers of Prozac). “Women have a right to know if what they are experiencing month to month is actually PMDD, and how to get help.”

What is PMDD?
PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is the acronym for the more severe form of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Like PMS, PMDD occurs the week before the onset of menstruation and disappears a few days after. PMDD is characterized by severe monthly mood swings and physical symptoms that interfere with everyday life, especially a woman’s relationships with her family and friends. PMDD symptoms go far beyond what are considered manageable or normal premenstrual symptoms.

PMDD is a combination of symptoms that may include irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, angry outbursts, breast tenderness and bloating. The diagnostic criteria emphasize symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, mood swings or irritability. The condition affects up to one in 20 American women who have regular menstrual periods.

What is the Difference Between PMS and PMDD?
The physical symptom list is identical for PMS and PMDD; while the emotional symptoms are similar, they are significantly more serious with PMDD. In PMDD, the criteria focus on the mood rather than the physical symptoms. With PMS, sadness or mild depression is not uncommon. With PMDD, however, significant depression and hopelessness may occur; in extreme cases, women may feel like killing themselves or others. Attributing suicidal or homicidal feelings to “it’s just PMS” is inappropriate; these feelings must be taken as seriously as they are in anyone else and should be promptly brought to the attention of mental health professionals.

Women who have a history of depression are at increased risk for PMDD. Similarly, women who have had PMDD are at increased risk for depression after menopause. In simplest terms, the difference between PMS and PMDD can be likened to the difference between a mild headache and a migraine.

While nearly all of the women in the survey reported experiencing premenstrual symptoms in the last 12 months, nearly half (45 percent) have never discussed PMS with their doctors. Even among women with strong or severe symptoms, more than one out of four (27 percent) had never talked with their doctors about PMS, despite the fact that most in this group reported that the symptoms interfere with their daily activities.

When asked about their reluctance to seek medical treatment even if they thought they had PMDD, nine of every 10 respondents who would not seek treatment said that they could cope with their problems on their own, and about one of every four felt their doctors would not take their complaints seriously if they did bring it up.

PMDD has recently been listed as an official psychiatric diagnosis. The fear of this stigma may contribute to women’s reluctance to discuss it with their doctors. “I frequently work with patients who have waited years to ask a doctor about premenstrual problems or have been turned away by their health care provider when they tried to discuss symptoms,” said Jean Endicott, Ph.D., Director of the Premenstrual Evaluation Unit at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. “They fear becoming the target of jokes or that seeking help is a sign of weakness. Informing women and providers about diagnosing and treating PMDD helps clear the way to effective medical care.”

Dr. Donnica’s Top Ten Tips for PMS Management:
Discuss your situation with your physician. Work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Follow it!
If you smoke, quit.
Practice stress management: many of the symptoms of PMS are unpredictable and emotionally draining. This can be very stressful and can exacerbate your condition.
Regular exercise may reduce your risk of PMS altogether; exercising once you have symptoms (even though you may not feel like it) will reduce the symptoms you experience for that cycle.
Take a daily, non-prescription multi-vitamin; discuss any other supplement needs with your physician.
Be sure to get an adequate daily intake of calcium (1,200 mg/day).
Eat a well balanced diet; don’t skip meals.
Reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and salt.
Enlist the support and understanding of friends and loved ones.
Try to get regular, sufficient sleep.


Important Questions to Ask Your Physician if You Think You Have PMS or PMDD:
Should I be taking any dietary supplements?
Are there any other illnesses that could be causing my symptoms?
Should I be evaluated for other conditions such as low blood sugar, under-active thyroid, or depression?
Could this be related to any medications I might be taking (including birth control pills)?
Do I have PMS or PMDD?
Could my symptoms be related to perimenopause?
Am I a candidate for prescription drug therapy for this condition?
What medicines should I be taking to combat PMS?


What Men Should Know About PMS and PMDD:
The main thing that men need to know about PMS or PMDD is that jokes about PMS may be hazardous to your health! In all seriousness, PMS is serious and PMDD is very serious. Be supportive and understanding; but most of all, be thankful that you don’t have to go through these symptoms every month.


http://www.drdonnica.com/...=1086&pg=2
[This message was edited Tue Oct 7 12:24:34 PDT 2003 by applekisses]

i think i have pmdd

CarrieLee said:

I do... I had a feeling you'd respond to this thread, girl.

That's me!

Thanks for posting this, Andrea.

I don't have either, anymore... I need to count my blessings tenfold...

Thanks Apples for the info!

VinaBlue said:

You're welcome honey This is exactly what it's for

Have you gotten treatment for it?

sag10 said:

I'm looking forward to that time, Sag and you're welcome

applekisses said:

No treatment yet. I had no idea that a severe case of pms had a title. So maybe I'll ask my doctor... But to be honest, that book I mentioned on the mental health thread helped a LOT with that too! I've since gotten off that supplement and diet program and guess what? The cramps and the mood swings came back! So I need to rebalance my body and brain chemistry, AGIAN. I'm pretty sure I have some kind of hormonal imbalance, though. We'll see what happens once I do what I can for myself.

Vina & Andrea

This is serious stuff...

Hormonal/chemical make-up is within us all, causes are many.

Mysteriously interesting... the humanmind truly is. An area so worth the study... Tending to our needs is key.

another great thread apples.

very helpful info for all 'org-ladies'



thank you!

I think I have pmdd. That's the first time I admitted that. No jokes please, I'm serious.
Thanks applekisses, I think I am gonna talk to my doctor.

PMS stands for -

Plainly Men Suck
Purtentual Murder Suspect

Chocolate is the cure all for this ailment...and other thangs.

althom said:

Read the post above yours, althom...

PS: READ THIS AGAIN...

What Men Should Know About PMS and PMDD:
The main thing that men need to know about PMS or PMDD is that jokes about PMS may be hazardous to your health! In all seriousness, PMS is serious and PMDD is very serious. Be supportive and understanding; but most of all, be thankful that you don’t have to go through these symptoms every month.
[This message was edited Tue Oct 7 20:16:39 PDT 2003 by applekisses]

Sweeny79 said:

You'll feel so much better, hon...seriously. Good for you for doing this for yourself

VinaBlue said:

Diet has a lot to do with it. Cutting out sugar, taking vitamins (my doc says calcium with magnesium helps) and stopping caffine will help SO much.

I never have PMS

applekisses said:

I think I'm in trouble.

althom said:

No, you just had to be reminded is all

I dont get either.

REDFEATHERS said:

You're really lucky, Red.

applekisses said:

Not really I get other things..

REDFEATHERS said:

awww...

applekisses said:

Thanx.