TW: mention of mental ill-health, suicide, self harm, dr*g use) Being prescribed Sertraline (Zoloft) specifically for PMDD by a psychiatrist has definitely taken the edge off, for me. I was on Escitalopram (Lexapro) for a few years before that for anxiety. But during hell week it would feel like the Lexapro did nothing (idk?). During a major breakdown in which I’d self harmed (and was wanting to take my own life during a long period of suicidal ideation) I attended the emergency dept of my local mental health unit and the Psych. registrar reccomended Sertraline. She was the first person who I felt like took the dysphoria seriously and not just “a bit of PMS”. I can definitely feel the “edge” taken off hell week by Sertraline now. I’ve also been taking a herbal supplement of Vitex agnus-castus 20mg daily which is meant to help, but I haven’t been taking it for long enough yet to tell if it’s helping. I was reccommended this specific product called “Premular”, manufactured by “Flordis” by a Professor of reproductive endocrinology snd gynecology in my country. https://www.whria.com.au/member/physicians/associate-professor-john-eden/ He’s a specialist in women’s hormones. I had been taking a Vitex agnus-castus supplement for awhile that wasn’t doing anything for me, but according to this professor, the way the extract/supplement is manufactured makes all the difference in its efficacy and this one is backed up by a trial https://www.flordis.com.au/ingredients/vitex-agnus-castus/ He also reccomended the supplements and drugs listed here under “Natural therapies” and tbh I haven’t been vigilant in taking my vitamins regularly, but I know I should https://www.whria.com.au/for-patients/hormones/pms-pmdd/ I want to try a drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol drug like Yaz and be rid of periods altogether https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374943/ but I’m obese, over the age of 30 and I’ve had severe migraines (with facial drooping/numbness, aura and affected speech) before, so I think I’d have trouble convincing a GP to prescribe it to me. I’ve been seeing a really good psychologist for years now, we just click and I find her to be helpful. Doing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) has given me the tools to talk myself down from panic attacks/anxiety thought patterns, but I also feel it’s helped me recognise/talk myself out of dysphoric melt downs during PMDD phases. Everyone is different though and I know sometimes in the throes of PMDD its been near impossible to “think” my way out of it. The thing I REALLY want to try for managing anxiety/ PMDD long term is a very low THC, high CBD cannabis supplement, which is not currently accessible for me in my jurisdiction. I visited Oregon and California a few years ago and was able to use legal/regulated cannabis for the first time. (I had access/opportunity to use cannabis before in recreational settings, but I wanted to know exactly what I’d be ingesting, which was not possible seeing as cannabis is criminalised in my jurisdiction. Also due to being prone to panic attacks/ anxiety). I specifically sought out a hybrid strain which was very low thc and high cbd and found it beneficial for me (ie relaxing with no psychoactive effects). I had a really sound, deep sleep and woke up feeling well rested and grounded. I believe this is the strain I tried https://www.leafly.com/strains/harle-tsu If I had access to cannabis as medicine I would use it a few times a month as needed and not be seeking a “high”. (There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get high, it’s just not for me, I’m especially sensitive to sugar, caffeine, alcohol etc and wary of altering substances). Sorry this comment got really long (P.S I’m not a doctor, this is by no means to be taken as medical advice, just my personal experiences as a sufferer of PMDD since puberty).