 Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD, is a type of PMS also known as premenstrual syndrome. PMS and PMDD are similar, however, premenstrual dysphoric disorder is much more severe. PMDD is characterized by severe mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Some of the physical symptoms include insomnia, bloating, cramps, and headaches to name a few. Typically, these symptoms will show up during the week before menstruation and end within a few days after your period starts, and can severely interfere with everyday activities and functioning. In some cases, emotional symptoms can even cause suicidal thoughts or ideations of self-harm. Underlying depression and anxiety are common in both PMS and PMDD, so it's possible that the hormonal changes that trigger a menstrual period may worsen the symptoms of mood disorders or depression and anxiety. PMDD is caused by a significant drop in serotonin, also known as one of the happy hormones, and is responsible for regulating mood, among other things, such as metabolism and memory function. And did you know that PMDD affects at least 10% of women or people? Women are people with a personal or family history of depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, or other mood disorders are more at risk of developing PMDD. According to an article by UCLA Health, medical professionals haven't figured out the root cause of PMDD. However, many believe it's strongly linked to hormones and neurotransmitters, which are the brain's chemical messengers. PMDD can be severely debilitating for those who suffer from it, so it's important to find the right treatment options to help cope with it in a healthy way. It's also important to practice mindfulness if you know someone who may have it. Some treatment options include hormonal birth control and antidepressants, but you would need to consult a doctor first. Some non-medicated options to cope with PMDD include frequent exercise, meditating, reducing alcohol consumption, and healthy dietary changes. Do you or someone you know have the symptoms we described above? If so, please consult a doctor or a mental health professional. What'd you guys think of this video? Please let us know in the comments. And as always, thank you for watching, and we'll see you in the next one.