# Woman with PMDD Speaks Out About Struggle to Get Diagnosed
Vicky Pattison, a British television personality, has opened up about her battle with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), describing a harrowing experience of searching for help while her mental health deteriorated month after month.
PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that affects roughly 3 to 8 percent of menstruating people. Unlike regular PMS, PMDD causes debilitating mood swings, depression, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal ideation in the days before menstruation. Pattison's account highlights a widespread problem: many healthcare providers misdiagnose or minimize the condition, leaving patients without proper treatment.
Pattison reported feeling she was "slowly slipping into insanity" during her luteal phase, the two weeks before her period. She experienced severe psychological symptoms that made daily functioning nearly impossible. Despite seeking medical attention, she encountered dismissal and misunderstanding from practitioners who either attributed her symptoms to general depression or failed to connect the cyclical pattern to her cycle.
The condition responds well to specific treatments. Doctors can prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) taken only during the luteal phase, or certain birth control formulations that suppress ovulation. Lifestyle modifications like vitamin B6 supplementation, calcium intake, and exercise also help manage symptoms.
Pattison's willingness to discuss her experience publicly carries weight. Too many people with PMDD suffer in silence, believing their symptoms are normal or that seeking help is unnecessary. The lack of awareness among healthcare providers perpetuates diagnostic delays that can span years.
Recognition of PMDD as a distinct condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders came relatively recently in 2013, which partly