Can't Figure Out If This Is PMS or PPD

PMS and PPD are caused by the same thing(s) ... Hormones!
They are nasty little buggers sometimes.
It seems that your hormones are cycling and at times causing this anxiety and depression.
Have you talked to your doctor about it?
If not, you should. I wouldn't necessarily recommend medication yet, as it's cyclical and meds aren't.
Birth control, if you aren't on any, might help or eliminate the problem by regulating your hormones. I personally had an IUD that I had to have removed because it was causing my hormones to go haywire after I had my son. So if you are on BC, talk to your doc and change it. If not, perhaps get on some (unless you want to have another baby soon).
Also, if you aren't taking a supplement (vitamin), start that. During the time you are anxious and depressed engage yourself mentally in the feelings and focus on ways to aleviate them. _MIND OVER MATTER_
Go for walks, take hot relaxing baths, get active, watch funny movies, listen to 'good mood' music (whatever that happens to be for you - for me listening to "angry" music puts me in a better mood). The fact that you are aware of the cycles should help you control it.
Best of luck!

i had a similar problem, and i prefer a more natural method. my wholistic doctor prescribed a progesterone cream. (duh, if the problem is hormonal, use hormone therapy!)

I have dealt with anxiety and depression for the past few years, which started after the birth of my first. I was put on Lexapro which has helped a great deal. I do still notice that before about half of my periods, my PMS is on overdrive. I get extra moody, anxious, tired, bloated - the works. Other periods come and go w/o much of anything.
I suggest that you talk to your doctor. Mine said that I would probably deal with hormone fluctuation until menopause.

I've noticed that when I drag myself to the gym, even if I'm exhausted, it helps to boost my mood. Get out of the house and go for a walk maybe. Just definitely don't let this go untreated. Take care.

Dear B.,

I have the exact same problem especially around my period! And i'm not sure if it's pms or ppd either, but I will tell you i've been taking effexor prescribed by my doctor for about 3-4 months and seems to be working well, you might just need to speak with your doctor and try some things and see what works for you! Hang in there it's tough and seems impossible at times but it will get better! I have had horrible anxiety especially when my daughter went to visit her dad for the weekend, but this seems to work wonders!

i do, i was put on prozac after i had my child for post pardom. and i loved it. well i have tried to get off a couple of times and everytime i do i am just loony the week before my period . i am irritated and upset and i cry a lot. i called my ob and she said to go back on the prozac since it was helping . my son is almost two now. i never had it with my first child. but i am like you i want spring so bad and i don't have these issues in the summer as much as in jan and feb. i crave spring. but the prozac helps

I can relate to those feelings and even though my children are 15, 13 and 7 I remember having feelings of depression, anxiety, undecisiveness like it was yesterday. I would encourage you to make time for yourself to get out of the house BY YOURSELF and walk the dog, take an exercise class have coffee with a friend whatever! Also, don't hesitate to call your doctor or nurse practitioner for help or advice that's what they are there for.

About me: I am a mother of three boys. I work part-time as a dental hygienist and I love my job and my patients. About a year ago I started representing a company called BeautiControl. We specialize in skin care, spa products and relaxation. I loved the concept of gathering a few friends together for some much needed girlfriend time and the products are fabulous and affordable! If you are interested in treating a few of your friends to an evening like this contact me at ###-###-#### or e-mail ____@____.com Hope to hear from you soon!

Hi B.,
I have been going through the exact same thing for almost a year now. My daughter is almost 1 & I've had issues since she was 2 days old. My Dr. says it's a combo of anxiety & PPD. You didn't mention if you are taking any medication. If not, you may want to consider it. Reluctantly I agreed to try Cymbalta and I can tell a considerable difference in just 4 weeks. I don't care for drugs & don't tolerate them well but I was so miserable I had reached my breaking point. Now, I can't believe I waited so long. Also, have you had your thyroid checked? Sometimes that can cause terrible mood swings as well. Talk to your Dr about these two possibilities. Best of luck to you. I know it's tough.

I have a 5mth old boy and a 4 year old girl I had PPD after my daughters birth and have it with my son also mine is the same way it comes and goes and I feel so overwhelmed at time. I am actally seeing a therapist and taking Prozac, with my daughter it only lasted til she was about 8 wks old but I am still suffering with it this time. Dont let it go to long without some help. GOOD LUCK

I'm not sure which it is either, but I can relate. I've always had changes in moods in my cycle. It varies. Some months it's not that noticable. Others I could be very depressed a few days before my cycle starts. Still others I could be depressed and then the next day be very anxious, very snappy and very moody. This can last for a couple of days. I say things and as I'm saying them I realize that I'm not being fair but it's too late. The anxious part is I have no patience. I think this has to do with hormones. When I am on birth control it seems to level me out and the PMS isn't so bad.

Hi B.. I was having something very very similar to what you are going through. I found out that I have a hormonal imbalance. The doctor prescribed an antidepressant for me. This has really worked. So far so good. My youngest is almost 2 now. I started the prescription when she was about 1 or 2 months old. I hope you get some relief soon. M.

It might be post partum depression. After carrying a child, it can take several years for the woman's body to return to the pre-baby hormone levels. Often it takes the body a while to re-adjust. Talk to your OBGYN or family doctor about these symptoms.

They'll probably prescribe Zoloft. You'll take 25mg in the AM and 25mg in the PM for about 3 weeks until your body adjusts to the dosage. Then you'll take 50mg a day. This should help level your mood, anxiety, and depression.

I took it for about a year after I had my second son. After a while, it seemed like it wasn't effective anymore. I realized I didn't need it anymore. There are several other options as well if this one doesn't work or you don't like the effects. It's a short-term medication plan, so don't worry about being additcted or unable to get off the drug. After taking the Zoloft, I realized I had more energy and did not become as emotional as before. It might make you a bit sleepy, so you can try taking it before bed and before an afternoon nap with baby.

www.myspace.com/staceefrane
staceefrane.getthisoffer.com/10
www.diamond.extremecreation.com
____@____.com

You NEED to look at your diet! I've worked with gals on this many times over the years. PARTICULARLY when some months are worse than others, you normally don't realize it but it's because your diet may be worse or better from month to month.

I actually did a brief TV clip on this years ago. Look at PRESCRIPTION FOR NUTRITONAL HEALING by Balch and make SURE you get the nutrients in your diet specified for PMS. HEAL YOURSELF FROM THE INSIDE OUT!