In the news; many women being diagnosed as depressed when really its PMS

[allgonebellyup]

This has made me think long and hard.

i have been on a high dose of ADs since Sept, following the break up of my marriage.

But i notice that about 2 days after my period has finished, all the way up until about 4 days before it arrives again, i feel great.
Then when its a few days before im due, i am near suicidal again, crying loads, not sleeping well etc.

Perhaps i have severe PMS and am not depressed ? anyone else the same?

[frankiebabe]

Hi, yes I am a bit like that too, although my down period tends to be for about 10 days, I have suffered from depression in the padt and my GP said it can be linked to PMS and that they will prescribe ADs if it is bad enough.I am currently taking a herbal remedy called 5-HTP which seems to work quite well in a similar way to ADs. It does sound very similar to me, perhaps you could try reducing dosage of Ads if it is only for a few days you feel bad or perhaps try something else?

[allgonebellyup]

maybe i will try 5-HTP? do you have to get it from your doctor?

yes my down days seem to last for about 10 days too; 4 days before my period, 5 days during and one or 2 days after.

[littlewoman]

I noticed I was a lot worse when I was pre-menstrual, but I was most definitely depressed besides that. I was just super-barmy at this time of the month.

[gigglewitch]

littlewoman, exactly what i was gonna say. spot on.

[MrsJohnCusack]

i have to say what finally put me back on anti depressants this time was the dreadful, dreadful lows before my periods. it's been diagnosed as PND after both children, but both times it's come back with a vengeance 2-3 months after the return of periods - I am absolutey sure it's related.

the 'bad' bit stetches for longer and longer with every period though. yuk

[allgonebellyup]

yes i would say i am still quite low on other days, although this is pretty hit and miss, but before my period is is unbearable, i just want to lock myself away and cry, and fantasise about how i will kill myself..

[frankiebabe]

Hi again, 5-HTP is a herbal medicine you can get it from health food shops, Holland and Barratt always stock it, that's where I get mine from so I know they are reputable, I heard about it on a forum similar to this and it def helps me, good luck!

[sue1911]

Hi all, this follows a thread i answered in health on pms.
Many women dont realise that there are over 70 symptoms associated with PMs.
I too was treated with AD for depression before changing drs when i moved.
I had a MALE!!!!! dr who suggested that i keep a diary of symptoms and it proved that i wasnt depressed but that i had pms.
it is very common in the week before or during that women become depressed. it almost goes hand in hand with the mood swings.
what i didnt understand before reading an excellent book recommended by the dr, was that my pms was responsible, in the weeks leading up to the due date, for my clumsiness, my bad vision, my depression, my binge eating, my forgetfulness, my sleeplessness, my overwhelming tiredness, as well as my horrendous (occasionally violent ) mood swings.

the book i would reccomend is called
self help for premenstrual syndrome and is by Michelle Harrison & Marla Rph Ahlgrimm..

i chose 15 symptoms and kept a diary of them for 18months. hope this helps

[confusedmamma]

I too suffer fron horrific PMS. In January I started keeping a diary and I realise d that my worst time was during ovulation a few days before the start of my period. I don't know hat to do to treat it, but I feel delighted that I have actually found this very clear pattern. PMS makes me bonkers and not in a nice way !!!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I dont think there is a marked difference between the two tbh. Although one is acute and one chronic iyswim?

I've always felt that my PND was more due to changes in hormones than anything else so it makes sense that PMS can be diagnosed as such, and, that the treatment for it could help pms too.

And having taken AD's for 2 years now, I can now identify that in my teens I suffered from bouts of depression too. These coincided with raging hormones.........