A woman's first period divided her life into before and after. At 14, she experienced two weeks of normal teenage life followed by two weeks of uncontrollable sadness, rage, and feelings of being a 'monster.' Misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, she cycled through treatments-birth control pills, antidepressants-that failed or worsened her symptoms.
In college, the pattern intensified, leading to suicidal thoughts. A friend's shocked reaction-'PMS does not cause suicidal thoughts'-prompted a years-long search for answers. After a non-hormonal IUD triggered a severe mood spiral, a TikTok video describing PMDD in 2025 finally provided the missing piece.
Armed with documentation, she faced medical professionals unfamiliar with PMDD. The third gynecologist diagnosed her and set a treatment plan. Now, she no longer hides her condition, advocating for awareness of PMDD, which remains widely misunderstood even among doctors.