Case study: ’I’d always had PMT but it started taking over my life after having the twins’

Joanne*, a 37-year-old mum of twins and a teacher in the South-East, was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by a consultant gynaecologist.

“I’d always had PMT but it started taking over my life after having the twins. I’d be crying constantly, feeling very sad, always arguing with my husband and blaming him for things that weren’t his fault. I felt very out of control, overwhelmed and incapable of making decisions.

“I kept a lid on it so it didn’t affect work or my kids but when the children were in bed, I’d really explode. This could go on for two or three weeks, depending on the length of my cycle, which varied between 28 and 35 days.