Emily chats with Elana Gloger, who opens up about how premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) impacted her life and PhD before it was well managed.

TW/CW: Suicidal ideation, swearing

This episode covers:

- Elana’s favourite, I mean F-A-V-O-U-R-I-T-E video game, her childhood likeness to Angelica from the Rugrats, and being a child of divorce
- A description of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual exacerbation (PME)
- How Elana’s diagnosis of PMDD unfolded
- An explanation of the menstrual cycle!
- The moment Elana decided to get support for mismanaged PMDD
- The potential future clash between PMDD medication, pregnancy, and applying for tenure track
- The impact of unmanaged PMDD on Elana’s PhD
- First steps to take if you think you might have PMDD

If you find this episode valuable, and have some spare change, please consider supporting the podcast!

Resources:

- Dear Grad Student Podcast
    - Twitter: @deargradstudent   
    - Instagram: @deargradstudentpod
    - Facebook: Dear Grad Student
    - Website: deargradstudent.com
    - Mental health podcast episodes: deargradstudent.com/mental-health

- PMDD resources
    - @iapmdglobal (twitter) and iapmd.org (website) provides evidence-based information about PMDD.
    - Tory Eisenlohr-Moul studies menstrual cycle effects on PMDD

- YouTube: ‘Your cycle in 3 minutes’ – contemporary dance interpretation of the impacts of the menstrual cycle

- App: Flo – for learning about and starting to track your menstrual cycle

Full transcript of the podcast is available here, with many thanks to Dan Ranson. If you find these transcripts useful, please consider supporting accessibility! 

Mental health support: please contact your GP or use the appropriate support for your country at https://checkpointorg.com/global/

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Recorded: 14/01/2022.

Sound: Mindset by Ketsa