PMDD Consultations For Therapists
Better Understand and Support Clients with PMDD
When it comes to women’s reproductive health issues, and women’s issues in general, we need more educated and well-resourced therapists, doctors, clinicians and coaches offering women the most well-informed, supportive and comprehensive care possible.
With a speciality in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), I offer consultations and training for other therapists with a desire to better understand PMDD and other conditions affected by hormonal cycles.
Recognizing PMDD
If you have a client who experiences extreme mental, emotional, physical and relational distress in the luteal phase of their cycle, they may be struggling with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)—a severe, hormone-based disorder that affects 1 out of every 12-20 women/those assigned female at birth who menstruate. This disorder presents with severe symptoms, and often disrupts a woman’s sense of self, mental health, relationships and daily functioning
PMDD is still widely misunderstood and often misdiagnosed. As it’s not a common therapeutic specialty, many therapists are unfamiliar with PMDD or how to differentiate it from other mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or bipolar personality disorder. Because PMDD follows a cyclical pattern linked to the menstrual cycle and presents with certain symptoms, it often requires an assessment and specialized therapeutic support.
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Understanding PMDD
PMDD is not simply PMS or mood swings. Rather, it presents with severe symptoms and is currently believed to be a result of a sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations, particularly changes in estrogen and progesterone. While PMDD is still being studied, research suggests that individuals with PMDD have a unique neurobiological response to hormonal shifts, which affects mood regulation, cognition and physical well-being.
While not cited as a direct cause, studies do suggest that chronic stress, childhood trauma, or a history of anxiety and depression can worsen PMDD symptoms. Given that trauma can exacerbate symptoms, and PMDD creates its own slew of symptoms—notably depression, anxiety, anger and body-related issues—it’s not uncommon for women to not know that they have PMDD when beginning therapy.
How PMDD Affects Women
PMDD causes significant disruptions in daily life and can feel really scary, especially at first. Women with PMDD commonly feel like a different person for about two weeks of every month (that’s half of their life!)—overwhelmed by emotions, struggling to function and feeling disconnected from and even angry with their bodies and themselves.
Because PMDD symptoms are so disruptive, they take a toll on relationships, and many women struggle with how to communicate their experience to loved ones, especially when they’re trying to make sense of it themselves.
PMDD symptoms can include:
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or intense anger
Feelings of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts
Anxiety, panic attacks, or a sense of being overwhelmed
Difficulty concentrating, brain fog, or feeling detached from reality
Struggles in personal relationships and emotional sensitivity
Feelings of isolation or disconnection from loved ones
Difficulty maintaining responsibilities at work, school, or home
Extreme fatigue, exhaustion, or sleep disturbances
Migraines, joint pain, and muscle aches
Bloating, nausea, and digestive issues
Breast tenderness and severe menstrual cramps
Because PMDD symptoms usually resolve once menstruation begins, many women feel confused, dismissed, unvalidated and/or unsure of what is happening to them. The confusion and frustration that comes with premenstrual dysmorphic disorder can literally feel crazy-making, which is why it is important to let clients know that PMDD is a recognized medical condition, as well as listed in the DSM-5 as a mood disorder.
It’s also important to let them know that they are not alone. While there is no go-to medication nor any quick and easy way to treat PMDD, there are therapeutic supports, resources and practical techniques that can help to mitigate symptoms and offer clients ways to live with more peace and ease.
PMDD Consultations & How I Can Help
I provide one-on-one clinical consultations for therapists who want to better understand and support their clients with PMDD.
Consultations are based on what you’re looking for support with, and generally include:
How to assess PMDD, including tracking symptoms to identify patterns
Therapy approaches, practical techniques, tools for emotional regulation, and lifestyle adjustments
If and when to refer out for medication, such as SSRIs or hormonal treatments
How to navigate the relational challenges of PMDD, including its impact on couples, families and work relationships
Psychoeducation and strategies to help clients feel validated, supported and empowered
Resources to help you and your clients learn more about PMDD
Multidisciplinary collaborations, including how to work with medical providers and other supports so clients receive the best and most comprehensive care
Based on what you’re looking for support with, we may just need to meet once to discuss a specific client and their needs, or we may decide to connect on a more ongoing basis. If you’re unsure if the needs of a client are out of your scope, I can help you decide if you’re the right person to treat.
I’m also open to providing training to both new and seasoned therapists who want to work with more women and AFAB individuals experiencing PMDD and other hormonal-based conditions that impact mental and emotional well-being and health.
Let’s Connect
As someone who experienced PMDD myself and understands how this condition affects women both personally and professionally, I feel passionate about supporting women and other therapists supporting women struggling with this debilitating disorder.
I’m warm and friendly, and it feels good that more therapists and clinicians are taking an interest in PMDD and also invested in offering women the best care that we can.
If you’re interested in a PMDD therapist consultation, let’s connect. Please feel free to reach out directly to schedule a session. I’m also happy to answer any questions you have about PMDD consultations and my practice. You can reach me directly at (303) 963-9249.