Ways to decrease PMS-related anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Ways to decrease PMS-related anxiety
8
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 9:23am
I had been doing really well this week regarding my anxiety. But it's now only a few days before my period, and this morning my OCD was kicked up into high gear. I tried telling myself that my hormones are out of whack and that is the only reason for the anxiety. And while I do believe that, the anxiety still *feels* real. Can anyone else relate--and more importantly, have you found anything that helps alleviate this? Uhhhg.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 11:58am

I am a big proponent of eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep & exercise. I still have anxiety & an occasional panic attack near my period. But, all in all, keeping things routine in my life helps. Here's the links for the anti-anxiety diet & also one to prevent PMS. HTH (((hugs))) jan


http://health.ivillage.com/mentalhealth/mhanxiety/0,,hld9,00.html


http://health.ivillage.com/gynoperiod/prpms/0,,h8qx,00.html



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 3:41pm

I can totally relate. Everything seems 10 x as bad with PMS. I put the sites that Jan gave you on my favorites (thanks Jan!).


Hugs,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 3:47pm

Yes, the same thing happens to me.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2006
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 5:23pm

Hi

I can so relate...you know it's because of the hormones but telling yourself that does not do miracles. I feel that days before my period but as they get closer the anxiety, panic is worst...and then sometimes during it will be o.k. and then when my period is over I go through another cycle of anxiety, panic, not sleeping well....is it like this for you??? I get up in the morning and I have heart palpitations, I worry about how my day is going to go, I have no appetite and it feels like all my organs are vibrating inside my body....as the day unfolds the sympstoms get less severe I guess because I'm moving around and doing stuff even if I don't feel like it. The mornings are just hell and then in a week I will get up fine, with no anxiety nor palpitations...am I losing it or it's really just the hormones??? Sometimes I don't know anymore!!!

So

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 09-22-2006 - 11:28pm

Sonia, one of the things that really helped me, is taking a xanax before i start my day.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
Sat, 09-23-2006 - 7:29am

I have the same problem with increased anxiety during PMS and my period. Thankfully, I have a really long cycle (6-7 weeks) so I don't go through it every month. My old tdoc gave me a little recipe to help my PMS.
1. Eat a balanced diet.
2. Take a b vitamin supplemnt.
3. Get extra sleep.
4. Take a short break during the day to rest and relax.
5. Exercise.
6. Give myself permission to put off any important or difficult decisions until after the period is over.

Doing those things usually helps me keep the period anxiety at a reasonable level. Sometimes, not so much, depending on what's going on in my life.

And Jan! Thanks for the links!

Jess

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2006
Sat, 09-23-2006 - 9:23am

Hi,

Yes I have started yesterday night to take Seroquel at 12.5mg...I'm starting at the lowest dosage to see what it's going to do. This morning I'm feeling sleepy but I was awake in the night with my son and plus taking new meds makes me nervous. I'm have a lot of hot flashes this morning and a bit of panic symptoms but otherwise it's o.k. I find my insides are shaking but that's probably just me being nervous or anxious. I don't feel like eating so I'm going to make myself a good milk shake with all kinds of good stuff in it. I did not eat much yesterday so that's probably why I'm feeling a bit wably this morning.

Thanks

Sonia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 09-23-2006 - 10:31am
(((Sonia))) I can totally relate to that inner shaking. I call it my inner motor. It scares the heck out of me when it starts up. Then when I finally get things under control & it stops, I'm scared I've died. OMG! My mind just gets away from me sometimes. I hope you can do belly breathing & repeat