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~Seek first to understand, then be understood~
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If you're looking for information on a particular topic, type that word in the search box below. If I have written about that subject, a list of posts will appear. If no posts come up, I haven't written about it...yet. Emails, and questions in the comments section for possible posts, are welcome.
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I have a "friend" who shows up once a month. She turns my world upside down, over and over again.
I am a good person, caring and sweet, but when she comes to visit, I could rip off your head.
She takes no prisoners, foul words she does spout, I try to keep the words in, she lets them come out.
People don't understand me, or what this is about, to have this creature inside my head.
I despise who I am, half of the time, I feel sorry for my daughter, family and friends.
There's no way to describe it, for those who don't know, it's a living nightmare, she really needs to go.
~Neysia Manor, Rest in Peace

Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Voices of PMDD, The Other Side of PMDD

This week I'm going to redirect you to two of my favorite posts....after a while, posts get shuffled out of sight, and unless you know they exist, it's hard to find them.  But based on letters I've received and comments I've read over the past few weeks, these two are well worth posting again... 

The Other Side of PMDD

and

The Other Side of PMDD, Continued

Each is about what it is like to experience an episode of PMDD from inside a PMDD woman's mind.

May these posts bring you some answers and relief.  They can also be helpful for partners to read.

Be blessed,

Liana

Liana Laverentz is the award-winning author of two books on PMDD, PMDD and Relationships, and PMDD: A Handbook for Partners.  Both books are based on the most asked questions by her readers, and therefore the most popular posts on her blog, Living on a Prayer, Living with PMDD.  Both books are also an excellent resource for understanding your PMDD and starting a meaningful conversation with loved ones who want to know more about this debilitating disorder we live with daily. 

6 comments:

  1. liana i have been reading your post for a couple of years. another day ill tell u how wonderful its been. at the moment im in an episode and i dont know what to do. i desperately need help. im torn between taking my life from depression or smashing everything in my path in anger

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  2. Write to me, honey, right now. Stream of consciousness, just vent. I am here and you have my email. info (at) livingwithpmdd (dot) com. If you can't do that, call a crisis line ASAP. If you're in the US, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. In the UK, Samaritans UK & ROI
    National
    Contact by: Face to Face - Phone - Letter: - E-mail:
    Hotline: +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90 (UK - local rate)
    Hotline: +44 (0) 8457 90 91 92 (UK minicom)
    Hotline: 1850 60 90 90 (ROI - local rate)
    Hotline: 1850 60 90 91 (ROI minicom)
    Website: samaritans.org
    E-mail Helpline: jo@samaritans.org
    24 Hour service
    Do it now!

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  3. Liana,
    I just started reading your posts. Let me say Im 26 and have PMDD (diagnosed for almost 2 years now, but probably have had it since I started birth control). My boyfriend, God bless him, is a techy guy and researches all the time, but this blog is going to help him SO much more. Currently, I am struggling with a PMDD episode that has lasted for nearly 2 weeks now. Its a bad one. And my doctor has tried to have me skip periods with the pill. I want answers!!! I feel like skipping period is making it worse bc I dont have that "release" per say. How long did it take you to find what worked for you? Are you on meds? I feel lost, exhausted, and just want to be able to exercise like I used to all throughout the month (Im a personal trainer). Thank you for this blog!
    Anonymous PMDD struggler

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  4. Hi, Anonymous,
    Unfortuntely, it has taken years for me to find out what worked for me. At the moment I have mostly mild PMS symptoms. It's never gone away completely for me. But I am in a good place now, PMDD-wise. I can manage the symptoms much better now through awareness, and I walk away before I will say/do/get into something that can not be taken back. Better to not say it at all than say it and regret it. That doesn't mean it is easy. But, for me, it's easier than dealing with the aftermath of a meltdown. Beware of exercising too much, as it can exacerbate your PMDD. Thank you for writing and I am glad the blog has been of some help!

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  5. Hi Liana, I was diagnosed with PMDD this past year, and am struggling to come to terms with it, especially because of my family. They credit the times when I... have an episode(?) to disrespect, while acknowledging that yes, I do need to take an antidepressant at times. My parents have threatened "cutting me loose" because of my behavior and I do not know how to explain to them that I can't quite control all these emotions during these times. What do I do?

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! It's rather hard for me to put years of research into one reply, which is why I wrote my book, PMDD and Relationships. Based on scattered posts from my blog, including the two mentioned above, it addresses how to explain that we can't quite control our emotions all the time. From what I hear from my readers, it is an excellent tool to use to explain PMDD to those who do not know much about it. It also has sections where I discuss increasing your personal awareness of your moods and how to maintain control as much as you can. When you can't, it explains to some extent what is going on in your PMDD brain, and how to fight back. Most of the information is here in the blog as well, but scattered throughout and harder to find. Still, you can either print off the posts that speak to you, or buy the book, and use the information provided in them/it to foster a conversation with your parents that can change your situation. If you have any specific questions either the blog or my book do not answer for you, please email me at info (at) livingwithpmdd (dot) com and I will do my best to clarify. To buy the book, click on the black book cover above for PMDD and Relationships. It is available in both ebook and print.

      Delete