Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is fairly well known as the period of time about a week prior to her menstrual period when a woman's behavior becomes . . . well . . . a little bit more 'sensitive.'
While the "How many women with PMS does it take to change a light bulb?" joke has saturated the Internet, most women are willing to concede that they are a bit edgy during that time.
While mood swings are quite common in women with PMS women, the physical discomforts are also a big part of the picture. In fact, some of the physical symptoms are debilitating enough to interfere with normal living. Cramping, bloating, binge eating, anxiety and many other indicators are considered normal.
Some women, who suffer from depression, report that their depression is at its worst prior to menses.Typically, these discomforts are attributed to the hormone imbalance that occurs when a woman's body goes through her natural cycle.
The degree of discomfort ranges from mild to severe, and that is the cause of confusion - How do you know if you have PMS - or the more serious form of this disorder known as PMDD - short for premenstrual dysphoric disorder ?
Is it PMDD or PMS ? What To Look For
Some of the literature on premenstrual dysphoric disorder defines it simply as a more severe version of PMS. While this may be a comprehensive descriptor, it isn't very effective in helping a woman determine whether her mood swings are worthy of the PMDD label.Check the list of symptoms below.
You may experience several of them from one month to the next, although not necessarily the same ones each time. If they interfere with your daily life in some significant waythey cause you to miss work, fight with members of your family, cancel your scheduled visit to the gym, withdraw from social activitiesthen you should start to suspect PMDD.
In fact, your doctor may diagnose PMDD if you experience five or more of these symptoms with your period.
- Your feelings of depression and hopelessness are worse.
- You feel tense, anxious or edgy.
- You're confused and have trouble concentrating or focusing on your reading, work or activities.
- You feel touchy or sensitive, and your moods change abruptly.
- You have unusual feelings of anger or rage.
- You have little interest in your usual activities and outings.
- You have trouble sleeping.
- You sleep more than usual and don't feel rested afterwards.
- You feel that your life may be out of control or that your responsibilities overwhelm you.
- You're more likely to resort to binge eating.
- You've lost your appetite.
While this list of symptoms is descriptive of the mood swings that accompany PMS and are thought to be caused by a hormone imbalance, note that the presence of a significant number of these symptoms and their severity are a cause for concern
. How Severe Is your Severe PMS ?
Claudia says, "I'm a naturally energetic person. I love to have things organized and ready. I'm the type who packs a lunch and does the ironing the night before so I can have time to go out for a run in the morning."I knew I was in trouble when my PMS got much worse. One night, I was soaking in the tub and noticed that the toilet paper roll was empty. As I got out of the bath, I was so overwhelmed with the job of replacing the toilet paper roll that I had to sit down and work up the energy to do it . . ."This is only one of Claudia's symptoms, but it was the factor that helped her decide to tell her doctor about her other symptoms.
PMS or Clinical Depression?
The symptoms of PMDD are, in fact, remarkably similar to those of several mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. The difference is that these particular effects are felt during the premenstrual periodabout seven to ten daysthen they go away until the next menstrual cycle.
The symptoms of mood disorders such as manic depression don't disappear. While a bipolar disorder is marked by alternating lows and highs, the highs are not periods of relief, but periods in which compulsive or "manic" activity dominates.
The patient does not feel relief during a manic period.One important clue that PMDD is related to the menstrual cycle is that it completely disappears during pregnancy!
The Bottom Line on PMS vs PMDD
Ask your physician or gynecologist for help. Even if your condition is not diagnosed as PMDD, you can get treatment that brings relief from your symptoms.
Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric DisorderPremenstrual dysphoric disorder is a set of symptoms that create a debilitating condition for a woman that is far beyond the mood swings and binge eating or food cravings typical of PMS. The symptoms occur only in the time before the menses (menstrual period), when a hormone imbalance is likely.
Although many women experience premenstrual anxiety or even occasional depression associated with their menses, experiencing certain severe PMS symptoms in combination is indicative of PMDD.
How is PMDD Diagnosed?
For a woman with suspected premenstrual dysphoric disorder, keeping a daily journal of mood swings, eating habits (especially binge eating) and other concerns for at least two to three consecutive months is a good idea. This way, you can ensure exactly which days for certain the symptoms are occurring and help your doctor pinpoint the severity of your condition.
The DSM-IV is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard text of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.
For a PMDD diagnosis a woman must regularly experience five or more of the symptoms listed in the DSM-IV during the premenstrual period, and the symptoms must seriously impair her ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
In making a diagnosis, a psychiatrist or physician will first investigate other issues that may cause PMDD-type effects, including thyroid problems, hormone imbalance, lupus, or other psychological disturbances such as depression.
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms Of Depression:
- Lack of interest in usual activities
- Changes in appetite including binge eating
- Sleeping too much or too little or waking at odd times
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
.Physical Symptoms of Depression:
Some physical discomfort or pain typically accompanies the emotional and psychological ones, including bloating and tenderness in the breast, abdomen or groin area.
From NCERx
