Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Depression and PMDD – how Hypnotherapy can help
Many adults have heard about PMS (Premenstrual Symdrome) but most of us won’t be familiar with it’s even darker twin, PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). For the majority of women, PMS can cause some discomfort however the small percentage of sufferers of PMDD have symptoms severe enough to stop them living their normal lives, it can affect relationships, job prospects, general day-to-day activities and more.
Common symptoms of PMS include, but are not limited to:
feeling bloated
Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen
headaches
backache
muscle and joint pain
breast pain
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
nausea
weight gain (up to 1kg)
in some cases long-term illnesses such as asthma or migraines may be exacerbated during PMS
Symptoms vary from person to person, and may vary month to month in intensity or even in symptoms. PMS usually happens at the same time in the menstrual cycle each month, up to 2 weeks before your period starts.
Psychological and behavioural problems may also be present:
mood swings
feeling upset or emotional
feeling irritable or angry
crying
anxiety
difficulty concentrating
confusion and forgetfulness
clumsiness
restlessness
decreased self-esteem
loss of libido (decreased interest in sex)
appetite changes or food cravings
The symptoms of PMDD are similar but more pronounced and after often more psychological than physical:
feelings of hopelessness
persistent sadness or depression
extreme anger and anxiety
decreased interest in usual activities
sleeping much more or much less than usual
very low self-esteem
extreme tension and irritability
The feelings of depression may even lead to thoughts about suicide. Overall PMDD can be particularly difficult to deal with
as it can have a negative effect on your daily life and relationships.
How can Hypnotherapy help? By helping to cope with the symptoms of PMDD we can make the symptoms easier to deal with, and not just for the sufferer but also those around her. Hypnotherapy helps to focus attention on the positives in life which has a positive impact on both physical and mental health. It is especially successful in dealing with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and developing and maintaining good sleeping patterns which can be crucial in getting through the PMDD phase.
BBC Radio 2 recently had a discussion about PMDD (Jeremy Vine 12/12/16)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b084w0hp
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Premenstrual-syndrome/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
So if you think you are suffering, or know someone who is suffering, and you want help, contact Quest Hypnotherapy for a chat.