Premenstrual Disorder
PMDD
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that significantly affects your emotional and physical well-being. PMDD usually begins in the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle, which is about one to two weeks before your period starts, and it goes away a few days after your period begins. If you have PMDD, you might experience intense mood swings, irritability, and feelings of sadness or depression. You could also feel anxious, tense, or very tired. Physical symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and muscle or joint pain are common too. The exact causes of PMDD are not fully understood, but researchers believe it is caused by being very sensitive to changes in hormone levels. PMDD is associated with increased sensitivity to the normal hormonal changes that occur during your monthly menstrual cycle. Genetics may play a role, as genetic variations might increase hormone sensitivity. Smoking and stress are also factors that can worsen PMDD. Trauma and stressful events, such as emotional or physical abuse, can be linked to PMDD and may exacerbate symptoms. Understanding these causes can help in recognizing PMDD and seeking appropriate support. If you think you have PMDD, recognizing these symptoms is the first step to finding relief and support.
Treatment
Successful treatment of GAD includes cognitive therapy to learn to tolerate uncertainty, effectively solve problems, and decrease perfectionism. Exposure therapy and imaginal flooding helps the child learn to face their uncertainty directly by incrementally testing whether or not their feared outcome is as likely or as serious as they perceive it to be. If chronic physical arousal makes it impossible for a child to relax, then relaxation training and mindfulness training will be taught to help restore the body’s normal resting state. Referral for yoga and massage therapy may be especially helpful for children whose bodies are chronically sore from the chronic anxious hyperarousal associated with worry.