Menstruation: when premenstrual dysphoric disorder triggers suicidal thoughts

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with prominent psychiatric symptoms, occurring during the last week of the luteal phase and improving with the onset of the follicular phase.

Have at least five symptoms over a majority of cycles

The hallmarks of PMDD are: depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, marked anxiety and mood swings, and decreased interest in activities of daily living. A report by 20 minutes also reports panic attacks and tetany, irritability, hypervigilance, anger, extreme fatigue and physical pain. “To be diagnosed, you must have at least five symptoms over a majority of cycles with severe intensity”, specifies Hélène Marais-Thomas, a psychologist specializing in this disorder.

“When I’m in it, I avoid socializing to the max in the morning, when I’m most vulnerable of the day. I noticed that I was full of anger, sadness, etc., as soon as I got up, and until about noon”, can we read on the instagram account tdpmetme. A patient association is being developed.

Different effective treatment options

“PMDD is a notoriously difficult clinical entity to treat,” specifies the Rouen University Hospital. Corn “At present, however, we have various effective therapeutic options. The implementation of a well-defined therapeutic strategy, integrating the various treatments, makes it possible to relieve the vast majority of women of their symptoms”.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects between 1.8 and 5.8% of menstruating women, according to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It recurs every month, and can last from a few days to two weeks, depending on the woman. Difficulties arise when menstruation begins.