PMDD and anxiety

[twiglet59]

Not sure where to start. I had CBT over a year ago for social anxiety and it I felt ok ish for a bit, but not completely. Anyway, it came back again just before Xmas and my sister suggested I try acupuncture. I have always felt it was mainly down to my PMDD, but not sure if it is social anxiety.

I have been having acupuncture for the last month and felt great and thought I was getting better up until this last week. I started my period on Tues of this week and still feel crap today. Thought it would have lifted by now. I just feel so negative, low, anxious, hate talking to people at work (it's generally at it worst there).
When I felt well I was convinced I was over it. I'm so confused!

Does anyone else feel like this?

Hi twiglet,

I have had general/social anxiety since after the birth of my soon to be 5 year old. It has gotten much better over time and i can pretty much handle any social situation now (apart from drinking ). However, when I am due on I usually have days where I just want to hide away from the world and feel more anxious - although it generally lifts after a few days.

Hope that helps in that you know you aren't alone :)

I also had/have social phobia/anxiety (causing agoraphobia) having been a very outgoing person pre children. In November I stopped all contraception (had previously had implanon, Depo & Mirena coil). I had been taking Citalopram for 7 years and had CBT.

In December I went on a cruise and coped really well with the whole trip which I had been dreading, since then I have weaned myself off medication and have been to places on my own without the usual physical symptoms of panic (I previously couldn't go to a supermarket for example). I still have the same 'mental' feelings of doubt that I can do things, which is obviously a learned behaviour that I need to retrain my brain to ignore.

I truly believe that my problems have been hormonal and the contraceptive chemicals were somehow changing the way my brain behaved. I am taking things slowly but feel so positive and feel like i'm 'living' again which is amazing although I do get the worst PMT ever!!! I guess my body is behaving as it should and not being restricted by chemicals?!?

I'd love to know if anyone else has had a similar experience. And Twiglett as yommymommy says, you are not alone xx

Thanks for your kind answers. I'll get an early night, not too much wine and hopefully i'll feel better tomorrow. xx

Just to let you know you are not alone feeling like this.

When I have bad PMT (which is every 3 weeks I hate talking to people. People in the playground must think I am a bit odd as for half the month I chat to everyone and then become hermit like!

Wish there was a cure, I have tried all sorts of vitamins,epo,st johns wort and even Prozac for PMDD and nothing has worked.