Bri

My name is Bri and I have a condition called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). I struggled immensely throughout my adolescence and as a teenager. Every month right before my menstrual cycle I would become severely anxious, depressed, irritable and sometimes would struggle with suicidal ideation. I didn’t know what was wrong with me and it felt like a never ending cycle. I was around 10 years old when I first started having symptoms and I did not get diagnosed until I was 21 years old. I suffered for years and then I finally had an answer. The healing journey was rough and I still felt like I was “crazy” or something was wrong with me as a person. But each month I had to tell myself “it’s just my PMDD. Give yourself grace” as I found ways to cope and heal through it. I’m now better than ever and about to finish my Masters in Social Work where I will use it to research and provide therapy to others struggling with PMDD. My favorite quote by my favorite poet will forever get me through a tough PMDD cycle, “And Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou.