Pms - Depression

[Spottyphonecase24]

A bit of history. I am on Citalopram for anxiety. I have an anxiety disorder and have had years of CBT. The only thing that keeps it stable is the Citalopram. It works perfectly for me. I am on the copper coil for contraception.

A week before I start my period I am depressed. I don’t want to do anything, I have suicidal thoughts - I don’t think I will actually do it but I spend a lot of time thinking how I will do it. I want my marriage to end, I feel like a awful mum, I withdraw from everyone, I hardly wash and I sleep a lot. I usually just go to work and that’s all I can manage.

This week I have been off work. Thankfully my children are late teens and don’t need looking after so I don’t have to be there for anyone as such. I have done nothing. I have just led in bed staring in to space. No motivation, no concentration, I’ve showered tonight for the first time in 5 days. No housework, nothing. Dh has been amazing as always and has kept on top of everything. He’s worried about me as I lose a week every 6-8 weeks to this. (I’m 40 and my periods are every 2 months) My period came this afternoon and boom I am back to normal.

When I feel like this it’s not anxiety I just feel so down. I’m not stressed at all and I generally feel like I have a good life.

Does anyone else have this?

Not quite as bad, but I have a very notable depressed week. Have you looked up PMDD, research programmes and potential treatment? Through trial and error I’ve found vitamin b6 has made a huge difference to me. And (unfortunately, because it’s the last thing I feel like doing, but it works) exercise. In a weird way, I find it also helps to know that it’s ‘just’ (hollow laugh!) my hormones - the glum feeling has nothing to do with how I feel about life and the lethargy isn’t really ‘me’. Keeping a diary helps to remind me. And I try to reserve comedies or things to lift my spirits for that week! Hope you can find something that helps.