Have noticed a pattern to my depression

[SPARKLER1]

Now the ADs are well and truely working on me and the counselling sessions are in mid flow I am noticing the times when I feel lower than other days. Every day was a bad day until a few months ago.
I still get moments when I feel tearful and everything is looking awful and I've noticed they are exactly a week before my period is due.
Does anyone else find this?

[SPARKLER1]

Hence feeling pants today.

[Sax]

Sparkler1 - I'm sorry you are having a hard day! You words however are encouraging becasue my ads weren't particularly working so they've been upped. I am finding a few more up days now and sounds as though these may continue if what you say is true and although my counselling hasn't come through it sounds as though this is obviously the way forward.

I'm rambling now after very little sleep. I hope your day gets better....let us know.

[emily05]

Spakler - oh yes! Exactly 1 week before my period I turn into a mess. I feel unwell, get headaches, feel sick and get very depressed. What I did was mark off the days I felt naff on a calender and that is when I realised!
Maybe this could be an idea? Then you will find out your cycle. In an attempt to help this I am starting to take evening primrose oil - will let you know if it help! I hope you are ok x

[golds]

Oh completely, I am not on AD's (yet) but I am so low today, I can't manage anything, my AF is due this weekend. I did find that when I was on the pill it helped as my moods were alot milder, skin better etc. but I don't want to go back on it, have you thought of that as a option ?

[throckenholt]

I would investigate taking some vitamins or herbal remedies at around that time of the month and maybe a bit before - presumably it knocks something off balance for a while.

[WigWamBam]

Have a look at this - there is a condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder which can cause symptoms of depression pre-menstrually.

[sarah259]

Sparkler - absolutely agree with you! I started keeping a journal and realised it's approx 1 week prior to my period when the world and his wife seem to be against me. On Monday I had the most awful headache (not a migraine; I am a sufferer of those too). I felt almost totally incapable of functioning and would have loved to have retreated to my bed. But life goes on for us Mum's doesn't it! I've just ordered some primrose oil and some natural form of seratonin in an attempt to keep on track. Hope you feel better soon.

[SPARKLER1]

WWB that's a really interesting article and sounds like the sort of things I am going through. Golds I am on the pill and have been for many years now.
It's reassuring to hear that other people feel the same in the week up to periods.
Thanks for you kind comments. I shall certainly keep an eye on this more and speak to GP about it when I next see him.

[whitecloud]

Thank you, WigWamBam. Interesting article and I identify with it. I find that stressful life events bring PMT etc on worse and cause hormone imbalances to worsen. I have always suffered from this problem. If it's really bad you can feel rough for half the month. Am so glad there are others who feel the same. Has anyone found any remedies ?

[Nemo1977]

sparkler my depression is the same..was always a lot worse week before af was due..but then i suppose pmt is bad enough in itself never mind on top of depression