You might be brand new to the words Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or you might have been searching for answers for years. Either way, you’re welcome here.

I’ll start with a simple overview of how PMDD is diagnosed and the symptoms most women notice, so you can see whether this sounds familiar.

A quick guide to diagnosis (plain English)

PMDD is defined by timing, type of symptoms, and impact on daily life:

• When symptoms appear: they show up in the final week before your period (late luteal phase),
  settle within a few days of bleeding starting, and are minimal or absent the week after.

• How many symptoms: five or more symptoms in that premenstrual window, in most cycles.

• Core mood features: at least one of these is present:

  • mood swings/feeling suddenly tearful

  • marked irritability or anger

  • low mood/hopelessness

  • anxiety, tension, or feeling on edge

• Other common features: to reach five total, these can add in:

  • loss of interest in usual activities

  • trouble concentrating

  • low energy or fatigue

  • changes in appetite or food cravings

  • sleeping too much or not enough

  • feeling overwhelmed or out of control

  • physical symptoms (breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, joint or muscle pain)

• Real-life impact: symptoms interfere with work, study, relationships, or daily functioning.

• Prospective tracking: ideally confirmed by daily ratings over at least two cycles (so it’s not a good day/bad day fluke).

• Not better explained by another condition, medication, or substance.

If you’re thinking, “That’s me to a T every month,” you’re not imagining it—and you’re not weak to be experiencing this. PMDD is a recognised, cycle-linked condition.

Common symptoms at a glance

Many women describe a predictable pattern in the week before bleeding:

• Emotional: sudden tears, sharp irritability or rage, anxiety, panic, low mood, sensitivity to rejection.

• Cognitive: foggy thinking, poor focus, indecision, feeling unlike yourself.

• Behavioural: withdrawing from people, conflict at home or work, urgent food cravings.

• Physical: bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, cramps, joint or muscle aches, fluid retention, sleep changes.

If you find yourself apologising for last week every month and then feeling fine a few days into your period, that’s a classic PMDD story. I’ve been there, overcome it, and now I help others do the same.