If you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, you
experience severe changes in your mood and body around the
time of your period. Those changes can get in the way of
day-to-day living. You might not feel like being around
people, even those you care about. You might find it hard
to take care of the
kids, go to work, or focus on school or other tasks. Your
mood changes might even make your family or friends steer
clear of you. It might get so bad, you just want to be left
alone.
PMDD is a distinct medical condition and is much more serious
than premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The symptoms of PMDD start
a week or two before your period and might last up to a
few days after your period starts. Any woman who has a monthly
period can have PMDD. It can get worse with age, but it
goes away when a woman stops having periods.
