Finding Community and Peer Support for PMDD

You Are Not Alone on Your Journey

Living with PMDD can feel isolating. The intense emotional swings, physical discomfort, and cognitive fog can make everyday life challenging—and often, the people around us don’t fully understand what we’re experiencing. As someone who has lived with PMDD, and as a naturopath, trauma-informed emotional healing practitioner, and Family Constellations facilitator, I know how profoundly validating it can be to find a community of women who truly “get it.”

Community and peer support are not just about conversation—they are about connection, understanding, and shared strategies for navigating the emotional, physical, and hormonal challenges of PMDD. When women feel seen and supported, symptoms often feel more manageable simply because the nervous system recognises safety and validation.

Why Peer Support Matters

PMDD is a misunderstood condition, even in medical circles. Many women report being told their symptoms are “all in their head” or that they just need to manage stress better. Feeling invalidated can amplify emotional reactivity, stress, and even physical discomfort. Peer support provides a space where your experience is acknowledged and respected, helping to normalise what can feel overwhelming and isolating.

I had a client who had struggled for years without understanding why she felt so “out of control” before her period. When she joined a supportive PMDD online group, she realised she wasn’t alone. Hearing stories that mirrored her own experiences brought relief and the courage to try new self-care strategies she had previously dismissed.

How to Find the Right Support

1. Online Communities
There are many online forums and social media groups dedicated to PMDD support. Look for spaces that are moderated, evidence-informed, and supportive, where women share both emotional experiences and practical tips.

2. Local Support Groups
In-person groups, even small meet-ups, offer a chance for connection and grounding. Some women find that simply being in the presence of others who understand the cyclical intensity of PMDD provides relief in itself.

3. Professional-Led Communities
Groups facilitated by practitioners—like naturopaths or trauma-informed therapists—can provide both emotional support and guidance on natural strategies, nutrition, and mind-body techniques that help regulate mood and physical symptoms.

4. Trusted Friends and Family
While professional or peer support is ideal, trusted loved ones who are willing to listen without judgment can also serve as a lifeline. Setting gentle boundaries and educating those around you about PMDD can enhance understanding and reduce feelings of isolation.

Integrating Community Support into Your Healing

Community support is most effective when it complements your personal care routine. Here are some ways to integrate it:

• Schedule regular check-ins with your support group during your luteal phase.

• Share coping strategies and hear what has worked for others.

• Use community insights to inform discussions with your practitioner about diet, supplements, or mind-body practices.

• Keep a journal of emotional patterns and coping successes to bring into your group discussions.

A Gentle Reminder

You are not broken, and you are not alone. PMDD is a physiological and emotional condition that responds best to validation, support, and holistic strategies. Connecting with others who truly understand provides not only emotional relief but also practical insights that can improve your daily experience. Every story you hear, every connection you make, is a reminder that PMDD is not a personal failing—it is a condition that can be managed and healed with the right support and guidance.

Camilla Brinkworth is a naturopath, trauma-informed emotional healing practitioner, and Family Constellations facilitator specialising in PMDD. Through PMDD Naturopath and Camilla Clare Holistic Health, she supports women globally to overcome PMDD with integrative naturopathy, nervous system regulation, plant-rich nutrition, and community-based emotional support strategies.