| pmdd and psychiatristsApril 8 2004 at 8:43 PM
Score 5.0 (1 person) | sara (Login sarawish) | |
| I have been seeing a psychiatrist for about a month. At my last appointment I walked in, sat down and said: "I could talk about my family history until the cows come home, but until I address what seems to me to be a serious hormonal imbalance prior to getting my period, life will not improve for me".
He listened while I told him that I am normally a happy, engaged helpful human being, but for the ten days leading up to my period I am argumentative, paranoid, self loathing and suicidal. He immediately pulled out all the information he had on PMDD. We have agreed to embark on an investigation into the best treatment for me.
I have read the posts on this subject and feel really validated by them. I guess I wanted to put in a good word for psychiatrists who are respected and recommended. I feel like it enables a woman to address the multi-limbed monster that is pmdd, and not just the medical side. For example, my partner of ten years is bruised and battered from trying to hang in there with a woman who is perfectly charming half the month and ragefully plotting to leave the other half of the month. I hope our relationship can hang on in time for me to find relief from an illness, which has resulted in so many strained relationships and intermittent job walkouts.
It seems to me that continuing on with SSRI's in combination with some form of anti anxiety medication combined with regular exercise might be the first thing I'll try. Has anyone had success with cutting wheat out of her diet? I'm reluctant to go on the pill, but it seems to have worked for some.
At times I feel like what we know about the world of hormones is just the tip of the iceberg. SSRI's seem like a bit of a blunt instrument. I look forward to the day when treatment is more refined. Hopefully by that time I will still have a job, family and friends to celebrate with!
Lets keep on talking about this.....Remember, many of the people funding and guiding the research don't have ovaries....... They need to be reminded that we are here and struggling.
Sara
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