All About Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and How to Overcome it with Psychological Therapy & Counselling

What is Premenstual Dysphoric Disorder?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a mood disorder that is characterised by emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms that can cause significant distress in women during the luteal phase (between ovulation and menses) of the menstrual cycle.

The symptoms generally improve within a few days after the onset of menses and tend to become less problematic or even absent in the week after menses.

It is not uncommon for any female of reproductive age to experience discomfort or changes in mood but those who suffer premenstrual dysphoric disorder are more likely to experience significant pre-menstrual distress or find it hard to function normally.

The cause of premenstrual dysphoric disorder is currently unknown but as the symptoms are generally only present during the menstrual cycle it is believed to be caused by sensitivity and fluctuation in the level of sex hormones.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms

The main symptoms associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder are:

• Mood changes
• Irritability
• Increased sensitivity
• Anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in appetite
• Disrupted sleeping patterns
• Joint or muscle pain

Although these symptoms may be common for any female during the menstrual cycle, PMDD symptoms tend to be more severe and are almost always linked to the Luteal phase rather than present across the whole menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Technically, only a psychiatrist can diagnose PMDD, but in the UK general practitioners have tended to diagnose mental health problems by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The DSM lists specific symptoms against a range of disorders and whenever a person meets this criteria, they are said to be suffering from that disorder.

Diagnostic procedures do NOT make use of medical testing (for example blood tests) in order to produce a diagnosis, but rather is an opinion based on the observation of certain behaviours in the person who is suffering.

Because of this lack of verifiable medical testing, diagnosis remains a controversial subject, particularly within the psychological community.

However, in the UK access to support services is often contingent on receiving a diagnosis, so in this sense, a formal diagnosis may be useful.

Counselling for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

We offer a number of different types of therapy and counselling for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and related problems.

Choosing the most suitable therapy depends on a number of different considerations including factors such as:

• How long you have had the problem.
• Your personal preferences.
• How your problem is affecting you today.

You can read more about the different types of therapy for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder on the following links:

• CBT for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Counselling for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Pluralistic Therapy for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Although all therapies use slightly different approaches, the one thing they all have in common is the relationship that is formed between the client and therapist.

Research suggests that this therapy relationship may be the most important factor in achieving a good therapy outcome.

Behaviour Change Framework – BCF

All of our counselling sessions and programmes are enhanced by applying the Behaviour Change Framework (BCF).

This scientifically proven protocol clearly defines the incremental stages of behaviour change that you need to go through in order to achieve long lasting and sustainable change.

Drawn from the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM), the framework provides a roadmap that not only gauges the current stage of progression through the change process, but also indicates if more change is required before entering the next phase of therapy or coaching.

In this way, we are able to ensure that you get the best possible level of support in overcoming your problems as well as ensuring that we don’t terminate the change process prematurely.

You can read more about the Science of Change here.

Arrange your FREE initial consultation here.

If you’d like to find out more about overcoming Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or recovering from any of your mental health problems then why not arrange a free initial consultation with us.

During this consultation we will discuss your particular issues and the different types of mental health counselling we offer (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT) without you having to commit to any counselling going forward.

The consultation lasts around 50 minutes and is a great opportunity to meet with either Paul or Joan and decide if you would like to proceed with any support.