Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
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- What is PMDD?
- Symptoms of PMDD
- Causes of PMDD
- Prevention of PMDD
- Risk factors for PMDD
- Complications of PMDD
- When to see a doctor about PMDD
- Diagnosis of PMDD
- Conventional treatment of PMDD
- Alternative/complementary treatment of PMDD
- Living with PMDD
- Caring for someone with PMDD
Caring for someone with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Partner
If you have a partner with PMDD, there are a number of strategies you can use to help them deal with it:
- Allow your partner time to relax - it is really important that your partner engages in some form of relaxation to help reduce emotional symptoms and induce a state of calmness and relaxation to help reduce her PMDD symptoms. Allow your partner the space to engage in this at home without disturbance
- Cook more fish - ensure your partner (and whole family) eats oily fish three times a week, as this will provide omega-3 essential fatty acids, which may help reduce her symptoms of inflammation, pain and fluid retention
- Don't smoke - if you smoke cigarettes, make sure you do so outside and not near your partner as the fumes from cigarette smoke may make their symptoms worse. If your partner smokes, encourage her to stop
- Encourage exercise - your partner's mood and symptoms of PMDD will generally decrease if they are regularly engaging in some form of exercise, so it would also benefit you to encourage them to do so. You can always join in or encourage your partner to exercise with a friend or join a gym
- Healthier diet - ensure that you and your partner are cooking healthy meals made from fresh ingredients and not from packages, as they contain little nutritional value and besides which, contain too much salt, calories and fat, which can only make your partner's symptoms worse
- Limit alcohol in the house - alcohol intake is very detrimental to your partner's PMDD symptoms, so it would be beneficial for your partner if you could also limit your alcohol intake at home with your partner, as it will help them to perceive your support and solidarity
- Support - it is important for your partner to know that she has your full support and understanding, as this will help her better deal with her symptoms. Try not to tell her it's just "all in your head" as that is unsupportive and will only aggravate her symptoms of irritation even more. Just try to be sensitive
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Friends
If you have a friend with PMDD, there are a number of strategies you can use to help them deal with it:
- Don't smoke - if you smoke cigarettes, make sure you do so not near your friend as the fumes from cigarette smoke may make their symptoms worse
- Limit alcohol - try to ensure your social interactions with your friend do not involve alcohol, as it can make your friend's symptoms much worse
- Support - your friend will greatly benefit if they have your understanding and support, especially when they are suffering the worst of their PMDD symptoms. Just try to be sensitive
Parents
If you have a daughter with PMDD, there are a number of strategies you can use to help them deal with it:
- Cook more fish - ensure your daughter (and whole family) eats oily fish three times a week, as this will provide omega-3 essential fatty acids, which may help reduce her symptoms of inflammation, pain and fluid retention
- Don't smoke - if you smoke cigarettes, make sure you do so outside and not near your daughter as the fumes from cigarette smoke may make their symptoms worse, or at least irritate them. If your daughter smokes, encourage her to stop
- Encourage exercise - your daughter's mood and symptoms of PMDD will generally decrease if she is regularly engaging in some form of exercise, so it would also benefit you to encourage them to do so. You can always join in or encourage your daughter to exercise with a friend or join a gym
- Healthier diet - ensure that you and your family are cooking healthy meals made from fresh ingredients and not from packages, as they contain little nutritional value and besides which, contain too much salt, calories and fat, which can only make your daughter's symptoms worse
- Support - it is important for your daughter to know that she has your full support and understanding, as this will help her better deal with her symptoms. Try not to tell her it's just "all in your head" as that is unsupportive and will only aggravate her symptoms of irritation even more. Just try to be sensitive
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< living with PMDD Last reviewed: 15 August 2008 || Last updated: 8 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
