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Types of Depression
II
Depression in Women
II Depression in Men
II
Childhood Depression
II
Adolescent Depression
II
Depression in the Elderly
II
Clinical Depression
II
Major Depression
II
Dysthymia II
Atypical Depression
II
Bipolar Depression
II
Cyclothymia II
Seasonal Affective Disorder
II
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
II
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
(PMDD)
II
Holiday Depression II
Workplace Depression.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a condition
associated with severe emotional and physical problems that are
linked closely to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms occur regularly in
the second half of the cycle and end when menstruation begins or
shortly thereafter.
Between 30 and 40 percent of women can be diagnosed as having
Premenstrual Syndrome. Between 3 and 7 percent of those women have
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder can be considered a severe form of
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). A woman with Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder experiences the same ailments as a woman with PMS, only
the woman with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder suffers to a far
greater degree.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is often confused not only with
PMS, but also with depression. To separate the disorder from PMS,
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder symptoms must exist in such
severity as to inhibit the woman's day to day living.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder consists of symptoms more commonly
associated with chronic depression: sad, anxious, or empty moods;
feelings of pessimism or hopelessness; emotions such as guilt or
worthlessness; insomnia; oversleeping; change in appetite,
resulting in weight gain or loss; suicidal thoughts/attempts;
uncontrollable rage or anger; lack of self control; denial;
anxiety; and frequent tearfulness. What separates Premenstrual
Dysphoric Disorder from depression is a sudden disappearance of
most symptoms shortly after a woman's period begins.
Basic research links the onset of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
to neurological and hormonal differences in some women's bodies.
Some women's bodies cannot effectively handle the hormonal shifts
that occur every week in a menstrual cycle. Routine changes in
estrogen and progesterone associated with menses may, in
vulnerable women, induce a serotonin deficiency that could trigger
the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Women in their late 30s and 40s are most vulnerable to
experiencing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, further suggesting a
hormonal balance. This is the time in a woman’s life that is often
marked by perimenopause, the time leading up to the end of
childbearing years.
The diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is based on the
regular presence of certain symptoms for part of each menstrual
cycle. A physician can diagnose Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
only if the woman has five or more of the symptoms described above
for most menstrual cycles and the symptoms must be severe enough
to interfere with occupational and social functioning.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms:
- Very depressed mood, feeling hopeless.
- Marked anxiety, tension, edginess.
- Sudden mood shifts (crying easily, extreme sensitivity).
- Persistent, marked irritability, anger, increased conflicts.
- Loss of interest in usual activities work, school, socializing.
- Difficulty concentrating and staying focused.
- Fatigue, tiredness, loss of energy.
- Marked appetite change, overeating, food cravings.
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or sleeping too much.
- Feeling out of control or overwhelmed.
- Physical symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, breast
tenderness or swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches and
pains.
A physician also will need to consider and rule out other possible
causes of the symptoms such as thyroid problems, lupus or other
mental disorders such as depression or an anxiety disorder. The
symptoms of all these conditions may worsen before menstruation
and so could be confused with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Three options exist for treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder. The first is conventional medicine; antidepressants,
anti-anxiety drugs or hormones. The FDA approved the
antidepressant Sarafem (fluoxetine) for the treatment of
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Sarafem is Prozac, just renamed
for the treatment of PMDD. Physicians also prescribe other SSRI
antidepressants “off-label” to treat depression — such as
sertraline, citalopram and paroxetine. All of these pharmaceutical
drug options have side effects - some of which are serious or
potentially fatal.
The woman suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder may
instead try focusing on the behavioral aspects of the disorder.
This includes stress management, psychotherapy, and relaxation.
The same lifestyle changes that sometimes help women with PMS may
help relieve the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
The third option is a nutritional modification, including dietary
restrictions, extra vitamins, rigorous exercise, and herbal
remedies. Many doctors have found homeopathic remedies are most
effective, thereby decreasing the validity of antidepressant
drugs. Deprex is a nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedy that
is highly effective in relieving Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
It is important to note that while antidepressants are often
the first line of treatment, there are safe alternatives to most
types of depression. Discuss natural alternatives like
Deprex with
your health care provider before using prescription medications
with potentially serious and life-threatening side effects.
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