Posted by susan C on August 27, 2001, at 15:25:14
In reply to Re: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Depression, posted by phillybob on August 27, 2001, at 13:37:38
Hi all, this is turning into quite a discussion. Here are a couple more bits to chew on ( not chew off )
in some cultures, when this time of the month comes, the women spend a week in solitude. No responsibilities. It is also considered by some to be a time of hightened creativity and insight. A time of honor. Another interesting bit, is women who spend a lot of time together (offices, family, groups of any kind) end up over a period of a year or so with synchronized mensus.
Diet, especially in our western culture, is very important. It is the first, in my opinion, thing to evaluate. When I journaled and charted before PMS was named such, I got to the point where Anne was describing where I could see the irritability. One day, I was walking down the hall and it was like a switch...one moment I was fine, the next a raging b***h. I KNEW it was a dramatic drop in the balance of my hormones.
Stress goes into this mix also...when I found out about this cultural comparison, I started to chart out my months AHEAD of time and make sure I minimized expectations the last two weeks of every month. I tried to stop expecting as much of me, which is hard for a perfectionist...
Part of this increase of attention to women's health is based on demographics, we baby boomers are so numerous, nothing can get by us....There are a lot more women out there thinking and writing and researching.
Last bit...perfectionism is a trait of women deal with PMS.
Out catching a few fly balls and attempting to throw 'em home, Susan C.
> that is the symptom of pms of which most of us men are aware, but is it experienced by ALL women and if so, is it debilitating for all women?
>
> i see your point and that a "magic pill" to end pms symptoms would be great, but i don't want to apply it (in my mind) as being necessary for all women (but i really don't know). i need to think about it more. the only thing coming to my mind right now are similar thoughts/arguments on the use of anesthesia when giving birth or, to the extreme, just having a C-section, to eliminate (certain) pains. of course, it should always be the woman's choice, but how would i feel personally and what would i choose and why?
>
> i'm thinking men are aware of these negative symptoms because it is most easily and often observed by us, but i'm wondering whether or not it is a fair generalization to make of all women or not. we men don't really get enlightened on this much because we are usually only familiar with a certain number of women's cyclic "problems" ... maybe, many women are just fine actors?
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> (you see, we men are often aware of these symptoms in women but are leary of pointing such out for obvious fear of getting head ripped off)
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> funny thing is, most men are irritable and hostile, but we like to be a little less predictable about when we are going to be so, and we would only blame it on others anyway. :)
>
> sweetmarie, i think it's very cool that you can recognize your symptoms. should help you feel less "crazy" if it can be attributed to something so obviously beyond one's control. still, i guess, when one is in the throes of the cycle, it is as hard to remove oneself from it (and even imagine what it is like when not experiencing such?) as it is when one is in the throes of depression
poster:susan C
thread:76433
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76621.html