There’s a kind of pain that’s hard to explain.
It’s not visible. It doesn’t show up on a scan. But it cuts deep—into your emotions, your relationships, your self-worth. That’s what premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has been like for me.
For years, I knew something wasn’t right. I’d go through these intense emotional crashes before my period—feeling deeply anxious, irritable, or completely lost. I’d question everything: my work, my parenting, my purpose. It felt like I was falling apart for no clear reason… only to “magically” feel normal again once my period started.
At first, I chalked it up to PMS or stress. But the more I paid attention, the more I realized this was something different. Something cyclical. Something hormonal. And eventually, I found the name for it: PMDD.
PMDD Is More Than Just Hormones
PMDD isn’t “just PMS.” It’s a severe hormone sensitivity that impacts your brain, your emotions, and your entire life. It can make you feel like you’re living two different realities—one where you’re capable, calm, and confident, and another where everything feels too much and nothing feels okay.
What’s made my journey even more layered is that I also have ADHD. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 35, and that late discovery brought so much clarity. But it also made everything more complex—because both PMDD and ADHD affect emotional regulation, focus, energy, and how I interact with the world.
The Two Together? It’s a Lot.
ADHD can already be overwhelming—especially the emotional side of it. Add PMDD on top of that, and it can feel like you’re being pulled under by waves you didn’t even see coming.
One moment I’m hyper-focused and thriving, the next I’m spinning in self-doubt, unable to concentrate, and feeling like I’m failing at everything. That luteal phase—the days between ovulation and menstruation—can feel like a storm I have to survive every single month. And the worst part? I used to think it was just me. That I was broken. That I needed to try harder.
Choosing a Different Path
I was offered medication—both for ADHD and for PMDD. But something inside me said no. Not because I’m against medication, but because I wanted to understand the root of what was going on. I didn’t want to suppress it—I wanted to heal it.
So I went down the holistic path. I looked at everything: my nutrition, my genetics, my nervous system, my trauma history, my environment, my daily rhythms. I began to see how it was all connected—and how sensitive women like me need a totally different kind of care.
I used DNA testing to uncover genetic variants that affect my dopamine, estrogen metabolism, detoxification, and circadian rhythms. I experimented with supplements, nervous system regulation tools, biohacks, seed cycling, and clean living. Slowly, I started to feel more empowered and less defeated.
Why I Wrote a Book
I didn’t plan on writing a book. But the more I shared bits of my story, the more messages I got from other women saying: “This is me too.”
So I wrote The Healing Journey: Navigating Adult ADHD and PMDD. It’s part memoir, part guidebook. I share the science, but also the messy, real-life experiences. I talk about what helped, what didn’t, and how I found my way back to myself. My hope is that it makes someone else feel less alone—and maybe even more hopeful.
Because the truth is, you’re not broken. You’re sensitive, and your body is asking for support—not suppression.
You Are Not Alone
If you’re struggling with PMDD, ADHD, or both—know that there is a way forward. A way to work with your body. A way to reclaim your joy, your energy, and your voice.
You don’t have to choose between living in chaos or numbing yourself. There’s another path. I’ve walked it. And I wrote this book so you don’t have to walk it alone.
With love and understanding,
Caroline
