PMDD and Relationships

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a conditioned marked by depressed moods, fatigue, sleep problems and lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Typically occurring between ovulation and menstruation, symptoms of PMDD are so severe, they sometimes influence daily living.

Significance

• Around five percent of women who are of childbearing age suffer from PMDD, according to the Harvard Mental Health Letter. An estimated 15 percent of these women attempt suicide.

Influence on Relationships

• Severe mood shifts, such as the feelings of anxiety, anger and irritability, may influence both work and personal relationships, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with PMDD are likely to notice that their relationships are strained during the fourteen-day period between ovulation and menstruation.

Solution

• If diagnosed with PMDD, a person should discuss her diagnosis and symptoms with friends and family, according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. It is important for the woman's friends and family to be aware that she is suffering from a medical condition; this may help them feel less frustrated by her mood. Discussing the situation may also help the woman to become less irritable by helping her to feel more supported by her loved ones as she explores her treatment options.

Treatments

• A physician may prescribe antidepressants like SSRIs to treat PMDD, according to the Mayo Clinic. Oral contraceptives can be another option, as they may regulate a woman's hormone levels. Alternatively, exercise may ease PMDD by improving mood, according to the Harvard Mental Health Letter.