PMDD: When “PMS” Feels Like So Much More
We’ve all heard the jokes about PMS — cravings, mood swings, and irritability. But what happens when it’s not just “a bad week”? When every month you feel like you’re drowning in sadness, rage, or exhaustion that completely takes over your life? That’s when we’re talking about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) — and it’s not “just PMS.” It’s something bigger, heavier, and very real.
What is PMDD?
PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that shows up in the luteal phase of your cycle (the week or two before your period starts). It’s caused by how your body reacts to the normal hormonal shifts during your cycle — but the symptoms go way beyond bloating and cramps.
For those who live with PMDD, the emotional impact is often the hardest part. It can feel like you’re a different person every month, stuck in a cycle of highs and lows that you can’t escape.
Common symptoms of PMDD
Wondering if this might be what you’re experiencing? Here are some common signs:
Intense mood swings that feel out of control
Depression or hopelessness (sometimes with dark or intrusive thoughts)
Severe anxiety or irritability
Anger or conflict in relationships
Extreme fatigue or trouble sleeping
Physical symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, or joint/muscle pain
The key difference between PMS and PMDD is the severity — PMDD symptoms are strong enough to interfere with daily life, relationships, work, or school.
Why it matters
One of the hardest parts of PMDD is that it can make you feel like you’re constantly bracing yourself — waiting for that week to come back around. It can also feel incredibly isolating, especially if people around you dismiss it as “just hormones” or “just PMS.”
PMDD is a real medical condition. Naming it and understanding it is the first step to taking back some control.
What helps with PMDD?
The good news: there are treatments and coping strategies that can help. Everyone’s body is different, but here are a few common approaches:
Tracking your cycle – Knowing when symptoms usually show up can help you prepare and feel less blindsided.
Lifestyle changes – Regular movement, balanced nutrition, and good sleep hygiene can help lessen the intensity.
Therapy – Talking through the emotional toll of PMDD and learning coping strategies can make the monthly cycle feel less overwhelming.
Medication – Some people benefit from antidepressants, hormonal birth control, or other medical treatments.
You’re not broken
If you’re living with PMDD, please hear this: you are not overreacting, and you are not broken. Your pain is real. Your struggles are real. And you deserve support, relief, and a life that doesn’t feel hijacked every month by something outside your control.
Therapy can be a safe place to process the emotional weight of PMDD, learn practical coping tools, and feel less alone in it. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through this every month — help is out there.
💡 At Morrow Therapeutics, I help people take charge of their PMDD symptoms. You can develop tools to manage mood swings, anxiety, and overwhelm. Together, we can build strategies and resilience to help you thrive.