PMDD and the Chinese Doctor
Some of you may know (and now all of you) that I suffer from a condition called PMDD.
Here is a somewhat clinical explanation I found on http://www.drdonnica.com website:
PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is the acronym for the more severe form of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Like PMS, PMDD occurs the week before the onset of menstruation and disappears a few days after. PMDD is characterized by severe monthly mood swings and physical symptoms that interfere with everyday life, especially a woman’s relationships with her family and friends. PMDD symptoms go far beyond what are considered manageable or normal premenstrual symptoms.
PMDD is a combination of symptoms that may include irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, angry outbursts, breast tenderness and bloating.
The Difference Between PMS and PMDD?
The physical symptom list is identical for PMS and PMDD; while the emotional symptoms are similar, they are significantly more serious with PMDD. In PMDD, the criteria focus on the mood rather than the physical symptoms. With PMS, sadness or mild depression is not uncommon. With PMDD, however, significant depression and hopelessness may occur.
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Anyway, this past week has been a really tough one for me. The triathlon training has been even more challenging, but also physically relieving. My senses have been heightened and sounds and smells are much more acute. My teariness sensitivity was way up and my patience was way down.
Thank goodness it is over now. I am about to embark on my first visit to a Chinese doctor, specializing in accupuncture. I'm not sure I want to eliminate my faith completely in Western doctors yet (for this condition), but I sure am close. I dont want to go down the path of anti-depressants. I've been there before and I do believe they work in assisting with the illness of depression (be it temporary or chronic), but they also level out your emotions to a very staid level with very little (normal) fluctuations that make life interesting.
I'll keep you informed.
Here is a somewhat clinical explanation I found on http://www.drdonnica.com website:
PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is the acronym for the more severe form of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Like PMS, PMDD occurs the week before the onset of menstruation and disappears a few days after. PMDD is characterized by severe monthly mood swings and physical symptoms that interfere with everyday life, especially a woman’s relationships with her family and friends. PMDD symptoms go far beyond what are considered manageable or normal premenstrual symptoms.
PMDD is a combination of symptoms that may include irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, angry outbursts, breast tenderness and bloating.
The Difference Between PMS and PMDD?
The physical symptom list is identical for PMS and PMDD; while the emotional symptoms are similar, they are significantly more serious with PMDD. In PMDD, the criteria focus on the mood rather than the physical symptoms. With PMS, sadness or mild depression is not uncommon. With PMDD, however, significant depression and hopelessness may occur.
In simplest terms, the difference between PMS and PMDD can be likened to the difference between a mild headache and a migraine.
_________________________________________
Anyway, this past week has been a really tough one for me. The triathlon training has been even more challenging, but also physically relieving. My senses have been heightened and sounds and smells are much more acute. My teariness sensitivity was way up and my patience was way down.
Thank goodness it is over now. I am about to embark on my first visit to a Chinese doctor, specializing in accupuncture. I'm not sure I want to eliminate my faith completely in Western doctors yet (for this condition), but I sure am close. I dont want to go down the path of anti-depressants. I've been there before and I do believe they work in assisting with the illness of depression (be it temporary or chronic), but they also level out your emotions to a very staid level with very little (normal) fluctuations that make life interesting.
I'll keep you informed.
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