PMDD: The little known condition driving women to take their own lives

Warning: This documentary contains discussion around suicide that some might find upsetting. It's a common condition most of us have never heard of. The devastating impact of the symptoms of PMDD, or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, drives many sufferers to major surgery - and one in three to attempt to take their own life. ITV News' Claire McGlasson investigated the condition for this documentary. Everything feels suddenly wrong. You leave your job or walk out of your relationship. You may even think about ending your life. "It's like Jekyll and Hyde from one point in the month to the next," specialist GP Dr Hannah Short told me. "A few days later you wake up wondering what you were thinking... left trying to piece your life back together." That's the reality of life with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition that affects one in 20 women. One in three of those will attempt suicide, gripped by extreme anxiety or depression in the days leading up to their period. It can affect anyone who menstruates. But despite these figures, PMDD is shockingly misunderstood and dangerously misdiagnosed. ---------------- • Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj • Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news Follow ITV News on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@itvnews?lang=en Follow ITV News on Instagram:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on Facebook:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on X:   / itvnews