Symptoms of PMDD: It’s More Than Just “Bad PMS”

Ever had those moments where you’re suddenly sobbing during a dog food commercial, convinced your partner is planning to leave you because they didn’t text back within 5 minutes, or found yourself rage-cleaning your entire apartment at 2 AM? The symptoms of PMDD are a wild ride.

Symptoms of PMDD Nobody Warns You About

Let’s get real – PMDD isn’t just feeling a bit moody before your period. It’s sitting in your car having a full breakdown because you can’t muster up the courage to walk into the grocery store. It’s wondering why your favorite jeans suddenly feel like torture devices, and why your brain decided to replace all useful information with static.

Those well-known symptoms? Yeah, they’re just the tip of the iceberg:

• Mood swings that make roller coasters look stable
• Depression that makes you loose interest in everything you usually love
• The urge to either eat everything in sight or nothing at all
• Anxiety that turns your life into an existential crises
• The rage spells that lead to screaming, slamming doors, and throwing things
• Either you cannot sleep or all you can do is sleep
• The breast swelling and bloating that requires sizing up your clothing

But here’s what people don’t talk about enough:

• That weird “brain fog” where you forget your own phone number
• The random paranoia that makes you deep-dive into your partner’s Instagram likes from 2016
• Those days when your body feels possessed by someone or something else
• Impulsive behaviors that lead to repeatedly quitting jobs, sabotaging friendships, ruining intimate relationships, maxing out your credit card, or doing all the illegal things
• The uncontrollable crying for hours on the bathroom floor
• The rage spells that lead to screaming, slamming doors, and throwing things
• Joint and muscle pain that makes it hard to get out of bed
• That self-loathing and negative thoughts that makes you want to hurt yourself
• The intense urge to run and hide that forces you to isolate or move cities, states, countries
• Becoming so overwhelmed with usual daily tasks that you cannot complete a single one
• The paralyzing inability to make a simple decision
• That confusion so thick you’re rethinking every life decision you’ve ever made

You can learn more about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and the diagnostic process here.

The Reality

Some days, you’re crushing it at work, meal prepping like a boss, and feeling on top of the world. Then PMDD hits, and suddenly you’re calling your mom crying because you want to quit. your job again or you find yourself contemplating moving to a desert island because society is just too much.

Here’s the truth: You’re not crazy. You’re not weak. You’re dealing with a real medical condition that affects up to 8% of reproductive aged females.¹ So next time you find yourself googling “why do I feel like a completely different person for two weeks every month,” know you’re not alone.

When to Wave the White Flag (and Get Help)

If you’re experiencing five or more of these symptoms for at least two cycles, it’s time to talk to a practitioner. Especially if:

• Your emotions feel like they’re controlling your life
• You’re struggling to maintain relationships or work performance
• You have thoughts of self-harm
• Basic daily tasks feel overwhelming

To learn how to track and map your symptoms grab our Symptom Mapping Kit.

Remember: You can learn to reduce and manage your PMDD symptoms. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through it every month. Getting help isn’t just OK – it’s the strongest thing you can do for yourself.

This isn’t just “being dramatic” or “not handling stress well.” This is a real condition that deserves real attention and care. You deserve support, understanding, and effective protocols.

Access more Support

Working with a practitioner who understand s PMDD is important. Consider:

• Working with a practitioner to run lab tests. HI, THAT’S ME!
• Map your symptoms to identify patterns and triggers
• Join our PMDD Community to connect with others who get it
• Find us at @hermoodmentor for more education + resources.

Citations:

1. Halbreich U, Borenstein J, Pearlstein T, Kahn LS. The prevalence, impairment, impact, and burden of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD). Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003 Aug;28 Suppl 3:1-23. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00098-2. PMID: 12892987.  ↩︎