• Replies 29 replies
  • Subscribers 86 subscribers
  • Views 2575 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Autism/ADHD and PMS

Expecto_Patronum

I know this isn't a topic that everybody is comfortable with so apologies in advance for that. But it is something I am struggling with and I've read some things that say that PMS is more common with neurodivergency.

I have periods of low mood anyway but it absolutely plummets during my time of month and I just can't snap out of the feeling of total despair. I know that it only typically lasts a few days and will pass but it's really unbearable whilst it lasts.

I know the logical answer would be to go to the doctor but I don't think I'd like their solutions. I believe they'd either suggest antidepressants which I have tried and tested and not had a pleasant experience with. Or they'd suggest going on the pill but this idea makes me very uncomfortable. I'm wary of medication anyway because I've had bad experiences with side effects but something about a pill that impacts on your hormones worries me. I've also heard people say that it can increase your risk of certain cancers etc which makes me wary. I know sometimes these things are just scaremongering or a rare risk but I can't get past my anxiety of something happening.

Does anybody else have similar struggles? Has anyone found success in a solution? Or tried things that haven't worked?

Parents

  • I'm really sorry to hear you're struggling, and being a man I can only imagine how awful this must be. My partner who's also autistic gets really bad PMS and also PMDD. It's not been mentioned in this thread as far as I can tell (unless I've missed it) so at the risk of mansplaining I'll explain that PMDD stands for Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and is quite common in neurodivergent women.

    My partner notices that her RSD gets considerably worse during this time and she feels utterly unwanted and unworthy of love and care. The best thing I can do for her is give lots of reassurance that she is loved and wanted, and be as loving as caring as she needs me to be. Lots of cuddles if she wants them, and space and validation if she needs that.

    We're not allowed to give medical advice here but naming the disorder is a first step and gives a better chance to find a solution or at least a coping strategy or strategies that will ease things during difficult times. There's a lot of info online about it and also a few content creators on Instagram and similar platforms give good tips on how to manage.

    It's easy to say don't give yourself a hard time when you're stuck in the depths of it and everything feels awful, but if you can be kind to yourself as much as possible, stay hydrated and rested, and choose comfort items, comfort tv/movies and comfort food. My partner's choices are Golden Girls, Ted Lasso and Schitts Creek. I hope that helps a little.

Reply

  • I'm really sorry to hear you're struggling, and being a man I can only imagine how awful this must be. My partner who's also autistic gets really bad PMS and also PMDD. It's not been mentioned in this thread as far as I can tell (unless I've missed it) so at the risk of mansplaining I'll explain that PMDD stands for Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and is quite common in neurodivergent women.

    My partner notices that her RSD gets considerably worse during this time and she feels utterly unwanted and unworthy of love and care. The best thing I can do for her is give lots of reassurance that she is loved and wanted, and be as loving as caring as she needs me to be. Lots of cuddles if she wants them, and space and validation if she needs that.

    We're not allowed to give medical advice here but naming the disorder is a first step and gives a better chance to find a solution or at least a coping strategy or strategies that will ease things during difficult times. There's a lot of info online about it and also a few content creators on Instagram and similar platforms give good tips on how to manage.

    It's easy to say don't give yourself a hard time when you're stuck in the depths of it and everything feels awful, but if you can be kind to yourself as much as possible, stay hydrated and rested, and choose comfort items, comfort tv/movies and comfort food. My partner's choices are Golden Girls, Ted Lasso and Schitts Creek. I hope that helps a little.

Children