If you’re feeling intense PMS symptoms, especially around mood and emotions, it’s possible you may be experiencing something called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It’s important to figure out if you are having PMDD symptoms because if you are, for at least a couple of weeks out of your cycle, it will likely interfere with everything from work and school, to relationships with others, and even yourself. 

PMDD only affects between 3% and 8% of people. So if you are dealing with it, you may not have a lot of people around you who can relate. One way to pin PMDD down is to track your cycle and symptoms. With this information, you can identify if you have five or more of the following symptoms for the majority of your cycles over the course of a year, with at least one pertaining to your mood:

🔲 Depression

🔲 Anxiety or tension

🔲 Sudden mood changes

🔲 Irritability

🔲 Loss of interest in daily activities

🔲 Difficulty concentrating

🔲 Decreased energy

🔲 Food cravings and appetite changes

🔲 Insomnia or sleepiness

🔲 Physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness or bloating

🔲 Symptoms interfere with activities, work, school, or relationships

🔲 Symptoms are not due to a cyclical exacerbation of another disorder

🔲 Documentation by daily symptom ratings for at least two menstrual cycles