What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? What are its Symptoms?

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder have great effect on emotional and physical health of a women. There are some hormonal changes during menstrual cycle of a women which cause mood swings. You may feel impatience, and trouble in concentration. There are many common symptoms in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and ADHD. We will brief here about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and its diagnostic criteria according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5. 

Diagnostic Criteria A.

There must present five of the following symptoms in majority of menstrual cycles. These symptoms must be present in the week before onset of menses.

Diagnostic Criteria B.

From following symptoms One or more than one must be present:

1. Effective mood swings like sudden feeling of sadness or increased sensitivity.
2. Aggression and irritability that also causes interpersonal conflicts.
3. Significant depression, self-deprecating thoughts and hopelessness.
4. Marked tension and anxiety.

Diagnostic Criteria C.

For the diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder one (or more) of the below mentioned symptoms be present.

1. Lack of interest in daily activities.
2. Lack of concentration.
3. Fatigue, lethargy and lack of energy.
4. Loss of appetite or over eating.
5. Insomnia or hypersomnia.
6. Overwhelmed or feelings of getting out of control.
7. Breast swelling or breast tenderness.

Diagnostic Criteria D.

The presence of above mentioned symptoms cause disturbance in social, professional and work life of a person.

Diagnostic Criteria E.

The symptoms are not due to any other medical substance or medical condition.

What is PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder make women feel uncomfortable physically and mentally. These feelings are during or a week before their periods. Most common symptoms found in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and adhd are anxiety, sadness, irritability and mood swings.   

PMDD is due to changes in hormonal level in women body. Estrogen and progesterone level changes during menstrual cycle. The changes in both these hormones estrogen and progesterone effect the serotonin level in women body. Serotonin is neurotransmitter for mental health and mood. Women who are suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder most of the time feel tired. These women feel mentally exhausted, bloated, and also have difficulty in sleeping.

How Premenstural Dysphoric Disorder and ADHD affects women?

People often think of ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as a problem that only affects kids.  But it usually stays with people into their adult years, especially women. Women with Premenstural dysphoric disorder and ADHD often have trouble being hyperactive, acting on their impulses, and paying attention. On the other hand, women often show symptoms that are different from hyperactive behavior, such as being disorganized, forgetting things, losing motivation, and having emotional problems.

Women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently remain undiagnosed due to the subtlety of their symptoms. Hormonal changes that happen during the menstrual cycle may make ADHD symptoms worse, like trouble concentrating, mood swings, and tiredness at certain times of the month.

The Connection Between Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and ADHD

The link between premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD is a growing area of study. Studies show that women with ADHD are more likely to develop PMDD or to have severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Because hormones have a lot of power. During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which lasts for two weeks before the period, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop a lot. These changes can make serotonin and dopamine less effective in the brain.  These two neurotransmitters have been linked to ADHD symptoms like not being able to focus, not wanting to do things, and doing things without thinking.

Because of this, women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD often have mood swings, low energy, and trouble paying attention or making choices.    It’s not just in your head; it’s in your body.

How hormones change the signs of PMDD?

Estrogen makes more serotonin and dopamine available. These chemicals help you stay on task, keep your feelings in check, and stay motivated. A drop in estrogen levels also causes a drop in a number of neurotransmitters, which leads to:

• Lack of attention
• Lack of energy
• Irritability
• Sadness

For women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and ADHD, this drop in hormones might feel like the worst possible thing that could happen. ADHD makes people more sensitive and impulsive, while PMDD makes them have mood swings. You need to know how the menstrual cycle works and how hormone levels affect mental and emotional performance in order to treat these disorders.

Signs of hormone-related disorders in women:

Studies show that women with PMDD are more likely to show symptoms of mood disorders related to hormones. One study found that women with ADHD were much more likely to report having severe PMS or PMDD symptoms than women without ADHD. This link shows how hormones affect both diseases and how important it is to have a plan for treating ADHD that is specific to each gender.

A lot of women don’t realize for years that their premenstrual symptoms are linked to ADHD, even though these results show that they are. To make treatment programs that work better for both hormonal and neurological problems, you need to know how these two things are related.

What are Treatments for PMDD?

Having premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD can be hard, but the right combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication can make a big difference. To deal with mental health issues, you need to take a broad approach that focuses on balancing hormones, mental health, and controlling your emotions.

   1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a very good way to help you with both of these problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you when you are thinking in unhealthy ways. Cognitive behavioral therapy gives you more flexible ways to think. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD. CBT helps by:

1. Make it easier to handle your feelings.
2. Reduces anger and worry.
3. Improve your attention.
4. Helps you to deal with mood swings.
5. Medication

Sometime Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other medicines are given. Medication is required when you have severe symptoms. These medications help to deal with severe mood irritability, fatigue and mood swings.

• Hormonal Balance

Controlling hormones estrogen and progesterone help for better health. Hormonal balance can be maintained by pills, supplements and hormone therapy. If you are facing any hormonal imbalance you have to take proper medicine by consulting from endocrinologist.

• Change daily routine.

If you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD, small changes to your daily life can make a big difference in how you deal with them. Regular exercise raises levels of serotonin and dopamine. These hormones which makes you feel better and helps you concentrate.

Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins are good for your hormones and brain.

Sleep hygiene: Sticking to a regular sleep schedule can help keep your mood and brain working well.

Mindfulness: Some relaxation exercises like yoga can help with the anxiety and stress.