I know this may be a silly question but does anyone else really suffer from mental health issues when due on their period? I feel like I am going crazy I am constantly upset and anxious to the point that some times I am so on edge I can't sit still and I literally feel like I am going to have a panic attack I also have really disturbed sleep and waking up at the crack of dawn feeling anxious I use to think it was just my general mental health but I am defo linking it to a week or two before my period and just after I feel so many strong emotions even guilt I no pms exists but I feel this is more extreme I really want to get help I have a gynecology appointment on Tuesday and I want to bring this too there attention but I am honestly worried they won't listen to me does anyone else suffer like this and if so any helpful tips on how to get my point across to the Dr's and what help I could ask for?? Thanks so much in advance xoxo
Mental health : I know this may be a silly... - Endometriosis UK
Mental health
Hello
So sorry to hear you’re having a hard time but also want you to know you’re not alone.
For a while I thought I was losing the plot a bit, I would literally go between being absolutely fuming over nothing to being an emotional wreck. Over the past few years I have suffered terrible anxiety (which really isn’t me and has made me a shadow of my former self), at times it has kept me up at night too.
It definitely goes back to what your hormones are doing to your body at certain times.
Mention it to your GP. I ended up having therapy for coping mechanisms but that was more down to personal preference as I didn’t want to take anti depressants for the rest of my life.
Good luck and remember to be kind to yourself x
I feel exactly the same I have no interest in taking medication but now I'm at a point where I'm having like one good week and have realised I need help so I am going to bring it up at my gyne app Tuesday I love the last line I think sometimes that's something we all need to remember thank you again xx
Yes I understand you. It’s like my mind goes into the darkest place and it feels like my world is coming to an end. My husband notices it. It’s awful isn’t it as you know that’s not the real you, but you can’t seem to help it either x
Thank you so much for your reply its exactly how you have described it I'm really hoping soon I can get some help and be able to cope with it better x
Hi let me know what they say as I could do with something to help me too x
Hi Victoria, I completely empathise with what you’re describing. For a long time I thought I just had general anxiety/ low mood or terrible PMS, but recently downloaded an app tracking my cycle and managed to link my symptoms to the week before my period every month with out fail. I talked to my Gynae about PPMD, I found that they were more interested in treating the physical symptoms although I have learnt to live with the pain and discomfort. There is a charity/ organisation called viscous cycle that has more information on PPMD. I have been experimenting and trying to see what helps or hinders my symptoms. I found that meditation/ mindfulness and being aware of my changing hormone levels helped me realise I wasn’t losing the plot. I also cut out caffeine and felt this helped too. I’m still looking for more information to help so I really appreciate how you feel.
Rachael
Hiya Rachel thank you so much for your reply you have been so helpful I will have a look into that charity and also look into the meditation /mindfulness side of things. I just feel like I am going mad sometimes I find it hard to explain but it's like feeling on edge and total helplessness I hate that you are suffering to but pleased I am not alone and so thankful for your advice I hope things get better for you xxx
That’s no problem at all, I have felt quite on my own at certain times with all these mental health symptoms. If you’re happy to read books I recently read a great one for basic meditation / mindfulness called a monks guide to happiness by Gelong Thubten. Also the app I used which gives ‘mood support’ ideas is called Moody Month and it’s free. I hope you get some relief soon and if you have a supportive family / friends / partner I found a lot of relief in talking to them about PMDD and why I think it’s affecting me. Take care xx
I read an article about a disorder that some women have when they feel like this just before their period, for me it was when I was on a period, I was in so much pain I used cry at night saying I couldn't go through it again and made me feel really depressed so I can sympathise with your feelings, and the thought of having another one made me anxious too, hope you get help especially now it's seen as a recognised condition x
My sister had this problem. Since it was the changing levels of hormones that caused the mental health symptoms, she started taking a form of contraceptive pill continuously, ie skipping the week of blank tablets and having no periods. She's found that having less fluctuation in hormone levels from the pill has made a massive improvement in her mental health. That might not be the solution for you, of course, eg if you've experienced bad side effects from contraceptive pills before. But might be worth knowing about and asking your gynecologist about. xx
I have a couple of days in the week before my period arrives which are absolutely pitch black they are so dark -- everything seems overwhelming and hopeless, I feel worthless, everything seems pointless. If not that, tears and irritability. I find that keeping track of my moods in a menstrual cycle app really helps because I know when to expect it and what is causing it.
It might be worth reading up a little on PMDD before your appointment. I've heard it can be an option to be prescribed antidepressants for use like 14 days out of 28 or whichever are the worst in the cycle. I don't think a gynaecologist would do that, it would probably have to be your GP.
Contraception is not an option for me at the moment, but I would really recommend hormonal contraception (pill, Mirena, jab, etc) to anyone with this problem. It's the rapid ups and downs in hormones that cause it, and taking the pill evens it out so there aren't the fluctuations of the cycle. When I was on Prostap, after the initial adjustment period, my moods settled down and it was great. Maybe you could use your appointment to have a conversation about what contraception options would be best for endo, if that's appropriate. xx
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