Is this PMT or depression?

[2notenuff]

Please help me, I feel like I am going insane. Right now I dont feel mentally stable.

I have noticed during the later part of this year once a month I get so worked up and stressed over everything that I am a nightmare to live with. I read up on PMT and it says you get it about 7-10 days before you are due, mine is more like two weeks before.

Right now I am home alone with my children and just them breathing is annoying me. I feel so bad but I just cant cope with them when I feel like this.

Normally I am a good mum and play lots with them but today they have mostly watched tv. I have no energy to take them out and their arguing makes my head want to explode. They are not being naughty just bored. They are actually telling each other they are "annoying" each other, a word they have obviously picked up from me.

This morning I actually thought if it would all be better if I was dead. I did not have suicidal thoughts and I am not thinking about killing myself but I just wish the light would go out if just for 10 mins so I was totally alone with nothing to do or think about doing. I think life has just overwhelmed me right now. I study, work and have two girls. I have a lovely partner.

I feel so selfish and guilty when I say that every morning I struggle to get out of bed because I dont have anything to look forward to. I feel like each day I am getting through brings me closer to things I have not done.

There is not enough time, I never get to just relax. Everyone around me seems to have an easier life (i know that is not really true) i know I am feeling sorry for myself and i hate that, i am not an attention seeking person and find it really hard to talk about my feelings to my partner. whenever i do it becomes an argument because he always thinks I am complaining about him and blaming him.

Right now I feel so angry at life that I hate it! I cant actually tell you why or what it is. But I know in a couple of weeks I will be ok again.

So if this is PMT then what can i do, i am fit and exercise every other day, i eat plenty of carbs and healthy food.

I NEVER get to relax that is just not possible in my life.

What if I am bi-polar. How would you know?

[thumbElf]

sounds like a touch of SAD to me. get daylight bulbs, vitamin D, a light box.

[2notenuff]

can it really make me feel that bad?

[colette]

Think you should go to your dr to check if it is pmt or depression. pmt can last longer than 7-10 days mine is often about 14.i feel like you but slightly less exteme and take fluorexetine which has helped ( a form of prozac!)
I know its xmas eve tomorrow but I would try and get an appointment.

[2notenuff]

Do you still have pmt with the prozac?

[colette]

Not to anywhere near the same extent. Don't want to take it forever but if you are feeling unlike yourself for such a big chunk of your life I think it is worth it. Ask dp to watch dcs so you can have a bit of time even if you just go for a walk on your own

[2notenuff]

Thanks.

I just got back from a 3 mile run and that has refreshed my mind.

Feel a bit lighter now.

Will speak to gp.

Thank you
Merry Xmas

[stressedsanta]

2notenuff yes sad can be totally debilitating i get severe depression every winter.

[judemac]

I am in the same position as you and you're not alone. I cannot stand being touched at this time of the month, let alone spoken to. I am an educated mother of two with a supportive partner and a great job. I want to feel like I feel for the other two weeks of the month, but that isn't going to happen. I have been prescribed Venlafaxine. It does take the edge off somewhat, but I do still feel like a selfish, nasty, bloated pyschopath at this time of the month.I just hope that more reserach is carried out in this area, so that my own eight year old daughter never has to go through any of this.

[hannahlouhoo]

god thats just how i feel every month i never realise until the black cloud has gone away that its PMT.

"This morning I actually thought if it would all be better if I was dead. " last week for 3 mornings running my first thoughts were so similar. A trip to my horrible no bedside manner gp i think!

OP i hope your symptoms go away for xmas, have a lovely time x

[judemac]

Forgot to say. Was referred to a Consultant becauser of my PMT. He said that I didn't have PMT, but cyclical depression(?). I think this was a case of semantics, as I have been like this for 14 days a month since I was a teenager, other than during my two pregnancies, but what do I know. Hope you have better luck with your GP.

[colette]

judemac totally agree about research.
2notenuff well done with the running update this thread when you have seen your GP hope he/she is sympathetic . hannahlouhoo can you see another dr on the same practice, if not just go anyway .
merry xmas all x

[NAB3hundredChristmaslights]

I have depression and have been on medication for a while. I also take Agnus Castus to help with PMT mood swings and find it really does help. Maybe worth a try?

[beanieb]

2notenuff I get the same - two weeks before I am due. I wondered if it was actually ovulation rage or something. I would go to the doctors about it but I am TTC so can't really consider anti-depressants. I have a short cycle too so it's more like once evey 3 weeks for me

Have you tried vitamin B6?

I am so filled with rage sometimes and it turns on like a switch.

[2notenuff]

Hello

Thank you for your advice!

I am so glad that I am not alone in feeling like this.

Think I will try B6 first and see if that helps, if not I will go to my gp.

It actually feels better today maybe its because its Christmas eve or because I talked about it yesterday.

I've never suffered from PMT before until this year so its all new to me.

I am so shocked at the anger inside me, it could come in handy if I was ever mugged on a PMT day - God help the person

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!