The second thing that gets handed to us when we mention PMS symptoms are antidepressants. Usually SSRIs.
SSRIs raise our serotonin levels by stopping some of it from being sucked back up right after it's been released and allows more of it to be used in our bodies to make us feel better.
So why isn't it working? I would say because PMDD is not a serotonin issue. But I'm not a doctor. My PMDD prevented me from becoming one. (ha ha)
Then why do these doctors keep insisting on using them? I would say because the drug companies have a huge influence on pretty much everything anymore.
Lots of women have PMS (and a lot of those women have full blown PMDD but for some reason it's not a well-known disorder) so it's a profitable area. Slap a nice feminine colored label on something that might not be selling that well for your typical depressed people who have genuine serotonin problems, and you've got a PMDD treatment!
6 comments:
[this is somewhat off topic and not directed at the author at all]
My PMDD causes low serotonin. So, in the absence of correcting my hormones...or my reaction to them...or whatever, lol, I opt for the SSRI's.
I understand that they don't work for everyone. I really and truly understand the need to correct the "root cause", but that is not available right now.
I don't understand the staunch refusal to try antidepressants or continue using them after discovering that they work.
"I'm not crazy! I have PMDD!" Well, so what? Whatever works! And I find it offensive that people feel the need to differentiate the two. Both are caused by hormones and chemicals in the body that we have no control over.
Lose the stigma!
Totally agree! :D In my case, I tried them all (well, all but the ones that have come out in the last few years) and they didn't work so I stopped using them and was upset that so much attention was paid to keeping me on these things that obviously weren't working very well. Then I got upset when I discovered it was PMDD the entire time. blah.
But, yes, by all means try them.. try everything because PMDD is pretty horrible. And YES, these are all things we cannot control. Doesn't make us any weaker as people to have either PMDD or a(nother?) mental illness. :) Thanks for stopping by! Would you like to help out at this blog btw? (ha ha ha)
Glad we are in agreement.
On the blog: Maybe ;)
I should add too, I read an article written about a psych about how many of her patients did not respond to antidepressants until their vitamin D levels were optimized.
I have been taking 800iu of Vitamin D since mid March and have noticed like a 70% improvement in moods and energy!
I have my daughter taking that now (mostly because she doesn't go out very often and there is no school to force her outside ha ha) and she seems to be doing better with it! I don't notice much difference in myself though. It's nice to find something that helps, isn't it? :) Makes me feel hopeful even if it's not me who gets the benefit.
Yay Jane :) Glad for your daughter. Are you taking 800iu? 400iu did nothing for me.
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