Recognizing PMDD: The First Step Towards Resilience
"I thought I was just difficult"
For years I thought I was just "difficult". Every month again that intense anger, the sadness, the feeling that I was losing myself. Doctors dismissed me with "it's normal" or prescribed antidepressants that didn't work. Until I finally found the name for what I felt: PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
What is PMDD actually?
PMDD is not "just" PMS. It's a serious hormonal condition that affects 3-8% of women in their fertile years. Symptoms begin 1-2 weeks before your period and usually disappear within a few days after you get your period. It returns every month - a cyclical challenge that can disrupt your life.
The symptoms I recognized
- Extreme mood swings: From deep despair to intense anger in hours
- Fatigue: So tired you can't get out of bed, even after 10 hours of sleep
- Anxiety attacks: Panic before your period, without clear cause
- Thoughts like "I can't do this anymore": The feeling that your family is better off without you
- The feeling that you're losing yourself: Every month again, as if you're a stranger in your own body
- Fights with your partner: Always in the same period, over things that normally aren't a problem
- Concentration problems: Work suffers, you can't focus
If you nodded to 5 or more of these symptoms... then you likely have PMDD.
Why does it often remain untreated?
Many doctors don't know PMDD well. Women often get misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorder, without examining the cycle. Additionally:
- Lack of awareness among doctors: PMDD is relatively unknown in the medical world
- Women normalize their own suffering: "It's normal" we think
- Shame about talking about it: We feel guilty about our behavior
- No holistic treatment plans: Medication alone is often not enough
The impact on your life
PMDD can completely disrupt your life:
- You withdraw from social contacts
- Work or study suffers
- Relationships are under pressure
- You feel guilty about your behavior
But most importantly: you deserve help that really works.
My path to recovery
After years of struggling, I decided to do my own research. I devoured scientific studies, spoke with experts worldwide, and began experimenting with what worked for me. Slowly I found my way back to myself.
What I learned:
- Nutrition makes the difference: Certain foods trigger symptoms, others actually help
- Stress management is crucial: Calming your nervous system helps enormously
- Communication saves relationships: Talking about PMDD without shame is essential
- Exercise at the right time: From gentle yoga to powerful movement, depending on your cycle
- A system that fits you: Everyone is different, there's no one-size-fits-all solution
The PMDD Resilience Program
Based on my own experience and scientific research, I developed the PMDD Resilience Program - a 12-week program that addresses the causes, not just the symptoms.
The program consists of 6 modules:
- Understanding & Recognizing: Learn PMDD from the inside out
- Nutrition & Hormones: Discover how nutrition affects your hormone balance
- Stress & Emotion Regulation: Tools to calm your nervous system
- Communication & Relationships: Learn to set boundaries and talk about PMDD without shame
- Movement & Sleep: The right rhythm for your cycle
- Your Long-Term Plan: Build a sustainable system that fits your life
You're not alone
Through my TikTok channel (@pmddval) I reach thousands of women who recognize their story. I was a guest on NPO2 and wrote for Linda magazine about my experience with PMDD.
You're not alone. And it's possible to get your life back.The first step
If you recognize yourself in this story, then the first step has already been taken: recognition. The next step is action. You deserve help that really works. You deserve a life where you don't fight against yourself every month again.
Ready to take your life back? Sign up for the PMDD Resilience Program and discover how to deal with PMDD and regain your balance, month after month.*Valeria is a PMDD Coach & Experienced Expert with 10+ years of experience with PMDD. She helps women get their lives back through the PMDD Resilience Program.*
