Is anyone familiar with PMDD - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder? I seem to have quite a few of the classic symptoms for a not very well known issue.

It's not an "official" disorder - just a tentative one for purposes of further study - and it's VERY controversial. Frankly, there are many who think it exists only as a ploy to market pharmaceuticals to women. Eli Lily re-released Prozac under a new label: Serafem - the "new" treatment drug for PMDD.

Not that the symptoms aren't real - they are mainly associated with depression and hormonal changes, and can be controlled to a large extent through nutrition, exercise and other good self-care practices. Have you talked to a good holistic doc about your symptoms?

Hope everything's okay! Good luck!

Well the reason I was looking at it is that when I am PMSing it is more depression. fatigue and overwhelmed feelings but I don't want to take medication for it. I get obsessive thinking about dieting and weight loss and such. Not fun to go through every month. I am taking a prescription strength natural progesterone cream when symptoms arise but I just hate this feeling. I have a good endocrinologist that is anti-artificial hormones. That is why I went to him in the first place. I have done anti-depressants in the past and he helped me get off of them.

I don't know if it's PMS or PMDD but I am getting very tired of this every month. I get depressed, feel like I have no friends, feel like a loser. overly emotional etc. Uggh! I am not that way the rest of the time. Menopause come on down if that is what will take this away. I like the way I am the other 3 weeks of the month. I really need this the week of my big test!

Kathy, PMDD is very real. I suffered from it for many years. What helped me was once I realized that's what was going on, I was able to kind of set it aside so to speak. Luckily, I'm past that now. Hang in there.

Thanks - I am glad to know I am not the onlyone that has dealt with this. The stuff I am taking helps (natural progesterone cream rx) once I realize it's happening but I hate it sneaking up on me and having to go through the distress until I realize what is going on. Perhaps a calendar might help me be more proactive. I forget about it and am as happy as a clam and then BOOM! out of the blue the dark cloud LOL!