Hi. I was wondering if anybody has any ideas on a) helping to manage my EXTREME emotional PMS, and b) how to explain to other people.
Every month, for about 3 to four days before my period, I become a different person. I am fragile, I am emotional. The littlest thing will set me off. Repetitive noises bother me. My friends bother me. I'll become angry at nothing. It's horrendous. And most of the time, I'll realize it's happening, and that helps somewhat, but not altogether.
It's been suggested that I take SSRI's monthly to control the mood swings. I currently take EPO (Evening Primrose Oil, which has helped in the past), and am starting a multivitamin. I don't want to take pharmaceuticals if I can avoid it. Plus, I have no health insurance right now.
I am 28, and this was a big problem in my last relationship. Only the problem, I believe, is that it was just exacerbated by my taking birth control pills. I thought it would help. But instead of making the PMS go away, it was like I had PMS ALL THE TIME. I was moody, cranky, and annoyed at just about everything. We had started out with a good relationship, but eventually, I hated my boyfriend, I hated myself, and I hated everything. Until I stopped taking the pill.
But now I have anxiety over the breakup of the relationship. And what's worse, I'm worried that if I date somebody else, they are just going to run into this monster, and they are going to end up hating me.
I have one guy friend who is very supportive. He helps me a lot, but when I get really emotional, it stresses him out. I don't know what to do, because I don't want my mental problems to be a burden on people. Obviously, I have underlying stress and emotional issues, but they just come out in this horrible way every month, and I don't know that my constant depression doesn't have to do with this ridiculous monthly cycle I go through.
But I feel it's pathetic to say, oh, it was just PMS, after I've had an emotional breakdown - even if it's true. It seems weak. It seems "Hysterical." And I hate it. Does anybody have any ideas - especially if you have professional experience - of how to tell a guy, so that he retains his respect for me, that my monthly cycles are affecting my moods dramatically, that I am aware of this, and that I am doing everything I can to help it? I want to for the benefit of everybody. I just don't want to come across as a whiny female! This is a serious problem, and it's real. Please help.