Watching Hit Show “Loose Women” Leads 30-Year-Old Woman To Discover Source of Devastating Mental Health Issues- Learning About Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD)

“We heard about PMDD for the first time on Loose Women. Denise Welch was talking about her own experiences, and my mom saw it … and it clicked for her,” Gray recounted to SWNS this year, according to Lancs Live. “She came to me and told me about it, and I thought that it was exactly what I was experiencing. I just knew that’s what it was.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Just call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Recounting what led to the realization that her symptoms must be due to PMDD, Gray said, “I was becoming suicidal every month before my period arrived. That constant cycle was controlling my life.

“Throughout my teens, I’d struggled with my mental health, with depression and anxiety. It wasn’t until I went university in 2013, aged 19, that everything came to a head.”

She continued, “I was regularly suicidal and isolating myself. I made an attempt on my life during my time at university because I wasn’t able to cope with the symptoms. That’s what started it all off my family and I recognizing that this was really extreme, and we needed help.

“We trusted the doctors they put me on antidepressants and set me up with psychiatrists back home, so on the surface, we felt like we were getting the right help. But then we heard about PMDD for the first time on Loose Women.”

Gray ultimately sought advice from her doctors about the condition but she recalls it being difficult to find one well versed in PMDD, prompting her and her mom to contact Welch via Z, formerly known as Twitter, who ultimately responded with a variety of resources and contact information.

Gray told SWNS, “It was when we were questioning things after we’d heard about PMDD, and asking if it was a possibility, was when things changed for us, and we started to feel ignored. The process took years. No one had heard of it.

“We were talking to professionals that didn’t know it was a thing they said that my mental health couldn’t be impacted by my period in such an extreme way.”

After years of seeking advice, a sexual health clinic connected Gray’s symptoms to PMDD and she soon started treatment, which consisted of a a prescribed combined contraceptive pill, which assists in controlling hormone fluctuations associated with the condition, something she praised as successful.

Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don’t Settle
She explained, “It was years years of not being believed, and eventually slowly getting help for hormones in general at that sexual health clinic. The first line of treatment thankfully worked for me. It’s a combined contraceptive pill, and that thankfully worked for me alongside different lifestyle changes.

“I’m really lucky, because a lot of women end up having to have a hysterectomy to attempt to improve their symptoms. A lot of young women who haven’t had families, their symptoms are so bad that they can’t find relief through any other form of limited treatment they have.”

Since her diagnosis, Gray has been spreading awareness of PMSS and opening up about the condition on social media.

She explained, “I’m a student nurse, and I’ve seen how although professionals are more aware of PMDD now, the treatments and awareness are lacking.

“Although I’m speaking out about PMDD and my experience, I think it’s really important that we don’t just focus on one condition when trying to raise awareness about the struggles that women face in healthcare.”

Gray concluded, “It’s underesearched and underfunded as a whole, and the waiting times to get a diagnosis and the amount of professionals they have to see before they get a diagnosis is very similar, whether it be PMDD, endometriosis or PCOS.

“My experience definitely gave me a direction it lit a fire in my soul to want to be able to help women and help improve the healthcare we provide for women.”

How to Advocate for Yourself

Patients advocating for their health can lead to better patient outcomes. This is especially important when your doctor has dismissed or misdiagnosed your symptoms. Gray realized her mental health symptoms seemed to be more than just some sort of pre-menstrual syndrome and fortunately, she pushed for more answers.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg explains the importance of second opinions. 

A component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes going back to the doctor multiple times and even getting multiple opinions.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office On Women’s Health (OOWH), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health issue that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious.

It affects up to 5% of women in their childbearing years and most women living with PMDD may experience depression or anxiety. Additionally, what causes PMDD or PMS is unknown, however, hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle and serotonin levels in the brain may contribute to the health issue.

“PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts,” the OOWH explains. “Symptoms usually go away two to three days after your period starts. You may need medicine or other treatment to help with your symptoms.”

As per the OOWH, symptoms of PMDD may include:

• Lasting irritability or anger
• Feelings of sadness or suicidal thoughts
• Feelings of anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Mood swings
• Lack of interest in daily activities and relationships
  Difficulty thinking or focusing
• Tiredness or low energy
• Food cravings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain

In regard to how this condition is diagnosed, the OOWH advises, “Your doctor will talk to you about your health history and do a physical examination.

“You will need to keep a calendar or diary of your symptoms to help your doctor diagnose PMDD. You must have five or more PMDD symptoms, including one mood-related symptom, to be diagnosed with PMDD.”

Treating PMDD

The OOWH explains that The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three types of SSRIs (antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which alter serotonin levels in the brain) as treatment for PMDD. The three types are 4Sertraline, Fluoxetine, and Paroxetine HCI.

Other forms of treatment are:

• FDA-approved birth control pills containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.
• Over-the-counter pain medicine
• Naproxen
• Aspirin
• Stress management
• Healthy lifestyle changes

“But PMDD can be serious enough that some women should go to a doctor or nurse to discuss treatment options. And, if you are thinking of hurting yourself or others, call 911 right away,” the OOWH warns.

Managing Your Mental Health

Coping with a condition like PMDD, getting a diagnosis of cancer or disease, or dealing with some external stressor, like a troubled relationship or job loss, can offset your mental health in ways you least expect.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says your emotions will be fluid when facing a diagnosis. SurvivorNet has some tips to help keep your mental and emotional health in a good space if you find yourself coping with a stressful situation.

The National Institute of Mental Health says you should seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:

• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Struggling to leave bed in the morning because of your mood
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
• Inability to perform normal daily functions and responsibilities

Equally as important is recognizing the value of self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health offers practical guidance on how to boost your weekly self-care routine.

• Regularly exercising
• Eating healthy, regular meals
• Staying hydrated
• Prioritizing sleep
• Exploring relaxation programs or techniques
• Setting goals/priorities
• Staying positive
• Connecting with others

WATCH: How genetic testing can help improve your mental health.

Genetic testing can also help people wrestling with their mental health. It has been shown to match people with the best medication for mental health treatment. While genetic testing has helped make treatment plans for other diseases, such as certain types of cancer, the ability to use it to help people suffering from anxiety and depression is relatively new.

“Doing the genetic testing has absolutely transformed the landscape of psycho-pharmacology,” psychiatrist Dr. Plutchik tells SurvivorNet.

“It’s something that I highly recommend for anybody that is taking medication, whether they are being treated for cancer or not … I recommend it for children who are taking medication. I recommend it for elderly people. Anybody who is taking medication, I think, can greatly benefit from genetic testing,” Dr. Plutchik added.

Mental Health: The Basics

The term mental health refers to both our emotional and psychological well-being. Our mental health can affect how we think, feel, and behave. Certain triggers like stress, traumatic events, or change in your physical health can affect mental health. It’s really important to keep tabs on your mental health and, if necessary, seek treatment. This doesn’t necessarily mean traditional therapy because while it may be really helpful (even life-changing) for some, that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.

Problems with mood and overall mental well-being can be attributed to several factors. For some people it’s genetic, while others may be experiencing a response to some sort of stressor or past trauma.

Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychologist, Explains How To Be “Realistically optimistic” When Learning To Cope With Mental Health Struggles 

Meanwhile, Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, says it’s crucial for patients to talk to their care team about their mental health.

“We all get depressed from time to time, have a sad day, feeling down and blue – that’s part of normal human emotion, part of normal life,” Dr. Irwin explained.

“Some of us, when we’re dealing with difficult things such as a diagnosis of cancer, may be sad or down or blue more often. And sometimes it gets to the point where that depression can be a little bit overwhelming, and we help them through therapy, through non-medication interventions.”

There are many ways to address mental health issues as a cancer survivor. Options may include:

• Meditation
• Practicing mindfulness
• Talking with a therapist
• Joining a support group
• Medication, such as antidepressants

Dealing With Grief Related to Health Problems

Power of Support

Fortunately for Stephanie Gray, she had her mom to offer support during her most challenging times. Dealing with a rare disease, condition, or cancer, can certainly be difficult. However, SurvivorNet experts encourage cancer patients, or anyone coping with a health challenge, to alleviate some of that stress by leaning on their support system.

A support system can be made up of loved ones like family and friends. It can also be comprised of strangers who have come together because of a shared cancer experience. Mental health professionals can also be critical parts of a support system.

WATCH: Sharing details about your cancer diagnosis.

“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friend’s circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet.

“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional,” Dr. Plutchik added.

Dr. Plutchik also stressed it is important for people supporting cancer warriors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day.

“People can have a range of emotions—they can include fear, anger—and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process,” Dr. Plutchik said.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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