Updated on August 20, 2024
Yes, PMDD is a disability in Australia.
What Is PMDD?
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a type of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes emotional and psychological stress. It can be so serious that it messes up one’s entire daily life.
People with PMDD can find normal school activities, work duties, and self-care routines difficult, and they can sometimes trigger self-harm or suicide.
The International Association for Premenstrual Disorder (IAMPD) has revealed that about 34% of women with PMDD have attempted suicide as a result of their PMDD symptoms.
Research has shown that PMDD is a depressive disorder with a 12-month prevalence, ranging from 1.8% to 5.8% among women who menstruate.
It may be triggered by hormonal changes in the part of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and menstruation.
It is a disorder of consistent yet irregular change in mental health and behaviours, which can make it difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms of PMDD
If you meet more than five of these symptoms, then you may meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD.
- Depression
- Irritability or anger
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest in things you love
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Feeling Overwhelmed
- Lack of appetite
Is PMDD a Disability in Australia?
Yes, it is a disability in Australia. And diagnosis can only be made if someone has had at least five symptoms for two or more menstrual cycles.
PMDD can feel different, depending on the person, as a result, one of the symptoms must be emotional or mood-related as stated above.
The best way to be sure you have PMDD is to keep a detailed diary of your symptoms and when they occur.
What are the Mental Symptoms of PMDD?
The mental symptoms of PMDD can include extreme depression, severe irritability, anxiety, and low mood which usually occurs a week before your period.
These are the psychological symptoms of suicidal thoughts that distinguish PMDD as a rarer and much more severe hormonal condition.
Often, the mental symptoms of PMDD ease once your period starts but the mood swings, anger, and conflict they may have caused can develop issues in relationships and general well-being.
For this reason, many women opt to take medication to settle the symptoms and avoid them interfering with their lives.
What are the physical symptoms of PMDD?
Physical symptoms include fatigue, and migraines, and are most times misdiagnosed.
Fatigue, joint or muscle pain and a change in appetite are also a few of the main physical symptoms that people experience, but some women also experience physical side effects like nausea, heart palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
These are essentially side effects of anxiety and tend to fluctuate at different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Why Do People Get PMDD Symptoms?
The exact cause of PMDD is not yet known, but it is related to hormonal changes that happen naturally in the body as a result of the menstruation cycle.
According to genetic susceptibility, PMDD is thought to have a heritability range between 30% to 80%.
Certain discoveries made by the researchers at the National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH), help us understand how genetic factors can contribute to a woman’s susceptibility to experience PMDD.
Also, it has a lot to do with how a woman responds to the sex hormones produced by the ovaries during the luteal phase.
NIMH’s study has found that women with PMDD have an altered gene complex that processes the body’s response to hormones produced by the ovaries.
This just simply means that the extreme emotional or physiological behaviors of a woman suffering from PMDD are completely out of her voluntary control.
How To Manage PMDD Symptoms
1. Introduce cardio to your fitness routine
As a PMDD patient, you must have a fitness routine that you already engage in. This is to keep your mind and body refreshed and as one.
Introducing cardio to your routine is particularly effective at increasing your serotonin, and can help with mood disorders, and physiological symptoms.
If you are not good at running or cycling, do not worry: swimming, dancing, and walking also count as cardio.
2. Eat a healthy diet
It is important to stick to a healthy diet if you have PMDD.
Sticking to high-quality proteins, healthy fibre, and complex carbs.
All these essential nutrients will help keep your blood sugar levels under control, prevent inflammation, maintain good health, stabilize your mood, and minimize cravings.
Turmeric, ginger, and saffron have also been shown to help with several symptoms of PMDD, so you may want to incorporate them into your meal.
The body needs other nutrients to properly make and use serotonin, including vitamin B6.
3. Minimize coffee and alcohol
Alcohol can lead to a drop in serotonin levels and drinking coffee can increase the cortisol level, and these can negatively affect the mood and mental health of someone with PMDD.
How To Treat PMDD
If you think you have PMDD, the first thing to do is to speak to a doctor and get a diagnosis.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend taking antidepressant medication in the following ways:
- Continuous – This continuous medication is for women who experience severe symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and anger that happen all through the cycle, not just before menstruation time.
- Luteal-phase only – This medication is taken from day 14 of the cycle (start of ovulation) until the beginning of the menstruation.
- Symptom on-set – This medication is taken at the first sign of the PMDD symptoms and continues until a few days after the bleeding has started.
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia. We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.
Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities. We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans, and offering casework support.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, or a loved one, or simply wish to learn more about our services, we’re here to help.
MORE FROM CENTRE DISABILITY SUPPORT
Is Endometriosis a Disability in Australia?
Is Bipolar Disorder a Disability?
IS ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA?
IS AUTISM A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA?
IS TOURETTES A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA?
IS OSTEOARTHRITIS A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA?
