PMS and depression

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

I have bipolar disorder and when I get PMS, I really feel the symptom of depression. When I was on bc pills for awhile, I barely had any PMS, so it wasn't a problem. But I'm off them now and have been for about a year, and my PMS symptoms are horrible, especially the depression.

I was wondering if there are any others in the community who suffer from depression or other mental illness and find the depression of PMS almost debilitating? If so, what do you do to feel better?
Any help is appreciated. I think I've cried all the tears I can spare this month!

Comments

[amylynn.livejournal.com]

me, me, me.
i'm bipolar, too. and almost always, i have a serious spike downward when my period's on its way. for me it was far worse when i was on the pill, though.
i'm not sure what to suggest, other than taking very good care of yourself, physically and mentally. read, play music if you know how, take nice long hot baths, sleep more if you wanna. cut down on the caffeine and/or sugar, assuming that you're not completely addicted and cutting down won't make you feel shitty [in which case, it might be a good idea to cut down on the caffeine/sugar, but some other time of the month]... drink lots of water... exercise can help physically *and* mentally, though i always feel like a hypocrite saying that because i know how much it helps and still have a hard time getting off the couch or out of bed, when i'm pmsy.
::hugs:: at any rate!
-amy

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for the tips! cutting down on sugar is a good idea..i tend to gravitate toward it when i'm pms'ing!
it's nice to know there are others who know what this is like..
{{hugs}}
thank you!

[amylynn.livejournal.com]

you're quite welcome! anything i can do to help. :)

PMS and depression

[wildfl0werz.livejournal.com]

I also have a similiar problem. With PMS I have depression and intense anxiety. Premenstrual moodiness has alwayz been a problem with me, but it seemz to have gotten A LOT worse over the past year.
I feel it so intense that I think I'm losing my mind. Are you on any medz for your Bipolar d/o?

Sharon

Re: PMS and depression

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

yes, i experience the depression and anxiety. i truly feel like i'm losing my mind at times!
i'm currently on 3 mind meds: zoloft for depression, klonopin for anxiety and tegretol for mania/rage, though i've been on them for a long time and they don't seem to be helping as much as they used to.
thank you for the help..i really do appreciate it!

[gigglinggorgon.livejournal.com]

This past month, my PMS sent me over the edge, and my normal deprssion got out of control... and then didn't go away. I had to go see my Dr and get some meds and a referral for some further help... I have always had problems during that time, and when I am in a bout of depression, it is always sooo intense.

Yes.

[delicata77.livejournal.com]

It happens to me a lot and I am ina major depression right now. When I am ovulating I think that I am doing great, everything is awesome, BUT, once I am through that phase...things get really difficult and I am paralyzed by my depression.
In terms of what I do...?
Hmm, take baths, drink tea and be very gentle with myself and try to breath and take walks....trying to get motivated to move is the hardest thing, but worth it.

Re: Yes.

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the helpful hints. I'm sorry you suffer from depression too..
take care..

[tome.livejournal.com]

I am on BC pills and have depression. I just started seeing a psychatrist and he explained the whole thing about how one hormone increases serotonin and one hormone decreases serotonin and the bad time of the month is right before your period... Hence PMS! But the BC pills limit my PMS to about three days and the psychatrist is convienced that once he finds the right meds for me I will magically be all better and be able to sleep at night and everything will be wonderful and sunny... {Sorry, I wondered off topic there...}

My only ideas are to be nice to yourself and try to do relaxing things that you usually enjoy.

Re:

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info :)

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

I've been a depression sufferer too, as well as a PMS sufferer, I'm pretty sure the two are linked. I've found st John's wort to be helpful, and I've recently been reading about deficiencies in certain fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9 oils) can lead to depression and all sorts of mental problems because the neurons loose their myelin coatings (a fatty substance which insulates nerve and brain cells) this is also a big cause of lethargy and mental fuzziness. I'm currently taking flax seed oil to give me a vegan source of these essential fatty acids and I've already noticed an improvement in mood and alertness.

Re:

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

ooh, good tip! thank you!