Imbalanced?

Question

My uncle, whose a doctor, suggestes that I take meds to control the months when I get bad PMS.
I tend to get a little too neurotic
Being image concious, my fear is
will anti-anxiety medication increase your weight?
and I don't want to relay on them my entire life
Also, The fact that I'm quite young (22)and dealing with these symptoms (irritability, a bit of depreesion, nervousness.... )bothers me.
Should I "chemically alter" my brain?

Answer 1

1. Taking meds doesn't alter anything. It's like putting gas in a car. When it's gone, it's gone.
2. It is not at a unusual for a female your age to have hormone-based depression and anxiety disorders. Every female in my family has it.
3. You don't have to rely on them any longer than you wish. Most are not habit forming and you can quit as you like.
4. Choose the medication which does not have that side-effect.
5. I don't know what you mean by neurotic, but sounds like a psychiatric checkup might not be a bad idea.
6. My daughter had monster periods--2 or 3 days in bed, miserable, often agonizing pain. I had her get the birth control pill, and they're gone. No PMS, no ups & downs, no irritability.

Your uncle sounds like a smart man. I'd listen.

TX Mom
Not a medical expert

Answer 2

If you think you can "wing it" without the medication, and keep having and enjoying your life, do that. Pharmaceutical solutions affect your organism and personality, not all in a positive way, and sometimes permanently. Chemicals can literally change who you are, and drugs should be used only when nothing else works.
"I tend to get a little too neurotic" sounds pretty normal to me; it's not like your skin is going to fall off.
Maybe your uncle is just tired of dealing with you when you get all hysterical...that would count as a cop-out.
Try to be a little more polite to him, and the medication won't be necessary.

Answer 3

There is a anti-depressant medication used specifically to treat PMDD. That's pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. The easy definition is severe PMS. I can't remember the name of the medication because my insurance didn't cover it, so I didn't get it. This particular med (serafem?) is taken only when PMS symptoms start, and you stop when you start your period or your PMS symptoms are lessened. This lessens the usual side effects for anti-depressant use.

Answer 4

with all respect to your uncle and doctors in general... i would seriously recommend going to a psychologist before committing to meds... there may be alternative treatments, i personally would explore therapy and anything before taking meds... they can temporarily solve your problems but therapy can help you confront your issues.

Answer 5

sounds like it is altering itself from your symptoms, take what you uncle prescribes, what have you got to loose, except the problems you stated?