“The PMDD community is amazing. Having a safe space and support from people who get it makes such a difference!” “Basic self-care like getting ready, eating, drinking enough water, can all go out of the window. We are thrown into survival mode.” It can also affect relationships and the ability to work. “I have to plan things around the luteal phase,” adds Phoebe. Though she’s grateful to have friends and family who are patient and understanding, Phoebe reveals that she had to explain to those around her, including her GP, what PMDD was. “Before I started The PMDD Project, I’d never come across anyone who had heard of PMDD.” Only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013, Clare says: “PMDD is relatively unknown in the medical community and can often be minimised as ‘just PMS’. It can also be misdiagnosed as different mental health conditions. Currently, there are no blood or saliva tests to diagnose PMDD – it comes down to symptom tracking and the luck of the draw if you have a GP who is familiar with PMDD.” INSIDE OUT
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