The Truth About Self-Love: My Journey with PMDD and Complex PTSD
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- Опубликовано: 20 мар 2023
- Today I'm sharing part of my personal journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and what I've noticed about the trauma healing process working with people as a therapist. An earlier version of myself might cringe a bit, but this episode focuses on self-compassion, self-love, and other forms of tenderness as a key part of the healing journey.
About Me: I'm a somatic psychotherapist in training. In these videos I'm sharing my personal practice, where I bring together tools from somatic psychology and witchcraft to help people address issues like PMDD, anxiety, and depression.
📸: / elizabeth_ferreira_som...
🎤: open.spotify.com/show/06eBD1E...
I actually cured myself from severe anxiety disorder, I was having panic attacks at night out of no where, not knowing that it was linked to me going through the process of healing the inner child from childhood trauma and abuse. I did the same healing practice of self talk and said all the opposite comments to myself instead of the abusive words and gave myself permission to feel in a safe envireonement and letting a couple people in on the healing process was a great support. Also tarot readings or Oracle cards work well to for affirmations. Meditation and yoga were also a great help and getting out and connecting with nature. That was actually joyful because it helped me to let go so I can recieve good energies
Hello, I have PMDD and complex-PTSD, thank you so much for talking about this ❤️ it brought a tear to my eye, I don’t know anyone else like me, and I’m really in the thick of it at the moment, and have been for the past two years, my PMDD is up to 2 weeks just now, and I can barely function. Wishing you all the happiness in the world, and best of luck with everything, and I hope the same for me and everyone else too ❤
You are absolutely not alone, I’m in the midst of it right now as well and my symptoms make me feel so alone.. everything I’ve ever read/watched talks about the symptoms being only a few days before our period, but it’s going on 2 weeks for me. Sending you love and positivity, I needed to see your comment rn x
100% the best video for PMDD I’ve ever seen. You get it. This is the best first step.
So many gems here.
I 100% concur. I’ve never resonated with content I’ve watched as much as I have with her content.
According to a study (The prevalence of early life trauma in PMDD by Jayashri Kulkarni et al) up to 70% of women with PMDD suffered from some kind of trauma in their childhood, being psychologic one the most common.
I have generalized and social anxiety and short episodes of depression and I have never linked them to the traumatic events I experienced when I was little. It was after I was studying DSM-5 for a clinical psychology exam that I realized I also had PMDD (I was officially diagnosed with it shortly afterwards by a psychiatrist). At first I was convinced that it was purely hormonal, so I tried supplements and ISRS... But somehow I started to realize that my sudden outbreaks of anger were just a symptom of something bigger, it felt as all the fear, anger, sadness and despair that I managed to suppress during half of the month were accumulating and then suddenly bursting at the end of it. I felt it was my trapped mind and body communicating to me and I needed to listen. Now I'm in somatic experiencing therapy and I can understand and feel myself so much better, with so much more self compassion than ever before, and I can now manage most of my symptoms more effectively. I'm still at the beginning of the therapy, so there's a lot to be done yet to release my traumas, but at least I feel hope and certain control over my life!
At the 24 minute mark this message changed my life. I cried. Never felt so seen and heard in my life. Elizabeth you are doing amazing work!
You’re so right, I replayed it a few times and copied it into my journal. Elizabeth is phenomenally insightful and compassionate.
Thank you so much for this. I have CPTSD and I suspect PMDD and I’m so exhausted. It’s very lonely and while I’m sad others suffer with this too I’m glad I’m not alone in the world. ❤
Your not alone
It’s a sudden possession by internal anxiety, contempt and rage. I forget I ever felt good.
You are waking up the HOPE of so many like us.Elizabeth💪💙💪
Hi Elizabeth... just wanted to write a comment to say thank you... I've just recently come across your channel, I have a very similar PMDD/Trauma relationship. The way you articulate this stuff is extremely helpful to me. Lucky you're a witch as well! x
The level of similarities in my existence this far in life are freaking insane I'm totally reeling this is an explanation to why I've always thought my period is trying to kill me and that my life has been a huge ridiculous sh*t show. I've got so many terrifying experiences that now make sense! I'm so renewed with possibility of positive paths that I thought would never be available to me again- thank you simply doesn't cut it what you're brave and amazing enough to be doing here is epic like you deserve merrit I'm so greatly moved by your words. I feel as though i just might find the me that knew i could do anything i set my mind to that has been busy lost in absence for so many years. I feel like i have more options than watching my misery from the tourcher chamber in the front row anxious to when the next doomsday will be. I will not be so quick to listen to my negative narrative. I can do more than survive- doing the best i have with what ive got to work with. My best isn't what it used to be but I've still got light in my spirit that yearns to be allowed to shine. I would not have been here to say this had i not stumbled upon your channel just a few days ago. My hell has passed or shall i use the term receded for now. You are a blessing you just remember that no matter how loud that inner critic gets you are saving and changing lives by sharing the experiences of your own- truly epic. I can honestly say i now love a perfect stranger and not in weird ways just the ways love was intended to be genuinely unconditional. You're totally AMAZING.
Wow I started watching your videos yesterday as I was looking for an explanation of why I always feel that unwell when I'm premenstrual. And now I found this video and is a relief as I also deal with cptsd
Omg omg Elizabeth thank you for making this video I’m crying right now. You’re my favorite RUclipsr
I think we all struggling like Elizabeth, we have a very high level of empathy.
Thank you so much for shedding light on this. I never thought to make the connection with PMDD and CPTSD, but it makes so much sense.
Thank you for this video. I was diagnosed a couple years ago with bipolar 2 but I've been considering whether its PMDD and PTSD instead. I resonate much more with people who talk about those things than I do with bipolar.
Same. Wrong diagnosis
Thank you for speaking about this I found out recently about my own pmdd, adhd and cptsd diagnosis and it’s been difficult and a grieving process. I connected with your story nd how sometimes it good soo bad certain months that it felt too painful to go through, I don’t have much support as I damaged and ended most of my close relationships last year because of the pain I released that I did not realize when I went to therapy for the first time really. You are the first person I found that has two of the same diagnosis. I have been listening to your podcast and on RUclips interviews you’ve done. Thank you!!! When no one understands me, I feel so much better connecting even so with you through your videos. Please continue to speak about this as many people even in my circle do not understand that it can literally make us feel crazy and I’ve been labelled paranoid by family members so it’s hurtful to be seen as mentally ill and crazy
You’ve been revolutionary in helping me tune into somatic options. And it’s been about a year since I watched your story - in that time I have warmed up to body scans and it was just a helpful real story to hear. Thank you.
Listening to you calms my racing and disconcerting emotional imbalances. You and your partner, Forrest, have highlighted my need for some professional help, albeit really late in my life, which won't help what has passed.
Thank you!! This has been huge for my journey finding your story.
Dear Elizabeth, I have learned so much from you, and I’m kind of in awe of how you manage to articulate this experience and make sense of it. It really resonated with me when you spoke of CPTSD, and made sense of how the pmdd forces us to confront these things to take back our power. I am thinking outside the box in terms of managing the condition, and I love the fun element of embracing witchcraft, the moon and crystals, it grants me agency and empowers me, and I’m really grateful that you have helped make this accessible. I can imagine you have helped so many women experiencing this, you’re an incredibly wise person and you have helped me so much. Sending you ❤
Wow. You released this in the exact moment I needed it. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much you helped me today!
I am in a puddle of created expression of tears over here. I think this is my son's account, but I was seeking help through RUclips, and here you are!! This is my parallel story. Thank you. I was without a physical person who understood. Pushing through sister. HELL WEEK!!! But God is good. I am glad our paths crossed. You are a beautiful person inside and out. Blessings!! What radiant light you bring. Accepting this is just part of me is where I am at. I have been dieting, juicing, fasting, praying, walking, meditating, and their just hasn't been a thing that has busted the prison walls on this one. I will accept, until the walls, do come down. And when they do, I will testify. But until then, I will remain accepting that I am powerless over PMDD, until something greater than myself can remove it. Until that moment of faith, I am so so so thankful of your healing love through your words of detailed explanation. You are so brave and courageous!! Warrior Princess!! Well done!! -Stacey
Thank you. I needed to find this. ❤
You have no idea how much I needed this video
Elizabeth thank you so much. This really resonates.
This is so helpful, thank you for your openness 💕
This was so powerful. I have had 6 therapy sessions which helped me light up and recognise trauma but I am now struggling with good and bad days. I have taken away ‘I want to be with this better.’ Thank you. Such an articulate person!
Thank you so much for sharing this! It will save a life. ❤
Thank you so much. This is such a reminder that I am not alone.
I remember watching your previous videos and feeling that community from your sharing. Happy to see you back!
Elizabeth thank you for all that you do ❤ Your wisdom has helped me so much with my pmdd. A big leap in my healing journey happened when I noticed the inner critic voice was the voice of my parents or siblings. Im more mindful now that i want to keep my inner voice warm and comforting. Its something thats within my control. I cant control the first thought that pops into my head, but i can control the second thought that comes after it
Thaaaaaank uuuuuu. I am a few mins in and feel much more relaxed already. I appreciate u
thank you so much for this, it's so helpful and relateable and explains so much to me
You are inspirational, projecting your beliefs, experiences and convictions out in the ether. Very genuine. Very grateful.
Edit: I also despised tenderness and compassion once. Did not even know the meaning of it. Felt none in me, and could not receive it from others.. People speak of therapy as peeling an onion, since a few months ago i realized that for me it has been breaking out through shells, caste in iron. Thinner and thinner shells.
It's so cool to listen to someone speak whom have a seemingly completely different experience, but created similar patterns of self abandonment.
Compassion is the light that casts no shadows
Thank you so much for sharing your approach. I very much appreciate your experience through holistic, therapeutic, and spiritual self-healing. I believe deeply that we each hold this power within ourselves. And simultaneously I believe in the magic and miracle that is modern medicine. I have watched many pmdd videos of women who have received treatment and healing with therapy and medicine like birth control and ssri’s. As I am creating a treatment plan I am searching for balance between thoughts of “why suffer when there are medicines that help people and they can help me too” and “why take any medicine when I can heal myself”. I appreciate your videos so much because they are the only ones I’ve seen that I’ve resonate with on a self-healing and spiritual journey with pmdd. I think my divine warrior self will move forward with all tools available, therapy, mindfulness, self compassion, magic, and modern elixirs of medicine on my journey. With gratitude. Peace and prosperity to you and to all the people with uteruses and pmdd reading this comment. 💜💕
thank you so much. I have a very similar story as well. Connected with childhood issues, traumatic experiences. I also have PMDD and PTSD. I found what you say Very interesting and this video very helpful. Thank you.
I'm so in awe of your healing journey. There is so much power and beauty in it. The light of your soul shines so brightly, and lights the way for others. 🙏
I’m so glad I found this video! I have my first intake appointment next week to talk to a psychiatrist. Because I feel like like you said, does play a role in PMDD because I noticed for myself the week leading to my period and even during I start to have a lot of flashbacks of mistreatment that I have went through the past and I start to ruminate and have a lot of intrusive thoughts around that time to of bad things that happened to me. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thank you 🙏🏼 Would you ever make a video about first starting trauma therapy for complex PTSD and what that’s like? I‘ve started with a great therapist a couple of months ago and while I‘m so glad I‘m doing this for myself, it’s also so terrifying and has completely turned me and my world upside down. It sounded a bit like your experience was similar? I‘m sure many people feel the same but I don’t hear it being talked about very much
Thank you for making me feel more seen and understood
Thank you ❤ great full for finding this.
I came here after seing the intervention on @beingwell.
I hoped I could find more material with you in this channel
Whatever your observations are ...same are mine.thanks for talking about it in so much depth, it was very validating
This is really useful, thank you
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you 🙏 for this. Life is deep and meaningful, not light and breezy. Development is inherently painful.
I wish I could quote the source it right now but they have found a scientific correlation between SA and PMDD. . . .I think I may be the same "alphabet soup" but whenever I mention them I don't get a whole lot of recognition. It's the PMDD that made me need to reach out and sometimes it's definitely unbearable. It's such a relief to hear someone else talk about the same issues. Thank You, Thank You!
I ignored and dissociated so much and for so long, that for the 3rd time, my legs have stopped functioning. This time, the fit that started this brake-down of my body, was so bad I knew that i was going to die. If my partner hadn't been there with me asking me to stay with him, I know i would have slipped away. It just seemed easier. This experience has made me understand that if i don't look into my past and how it has shaped my daily experience, my past will consume me. I have since been told that my childhood- that i knew was weird and painful- was very abusive. My therapist told me I have CPTSD and GAD and all those lovely letters.
I found you through your partner's channel and what you said about your experience with trauma shook me deeply. Knowing that you have some of my symptoms and here now hearing you speak of your inner mean voice... I live with that voice in my head everyday, just waiting for any reason to jump out a tear me down. Seeing you and listening to you brings me hope that i can learn to be ok. More than anything, you have made me become aware of just how deeply i want to meet and re-integrate the parts of me i had to exile from a very young age. I need them back in my life. They are the parts of me that are strong, the ones that aren't tamed by the constant fear and anxiety. I don't know how to go about it yet (if you have any advice i would be so happy to know) but the idea of inviting all of me back into my life,and learning how to hold myself kindly, it's the first time in a long long time that i feel some sense of hope. And it all started when i heard you talk about letting your anger express itself, and archetypes and becoming whole. Thank you so much.
I'm so sorry you're going through this Emma. I really resonate with your story. It's incredibly hard to live with so much pain that sometimes the only perceivable solution is to end life. But there is hope, love.
Two books that have been really enlightening to me are "The Drama of the Gifted Child" by Alice Miller and "Healing the Shame that Binds You" by John Bradshaw. I highly recommend those to anyone who is struggling with depression and intrusive thoughts, they've been a huge help in understanding what is going on with me and how I can support myself through the thick of it.
I'm sending you love and compassion - because hell, do we need it.
@@satoriginkgo8622 Thank you so much for the advice and for all the kindness. ❤ Sending you love and gratitude
I am so sorry to read all of this.. I had to comment back because my disassociation gets so bad sometimes that when you mentioned your legs going numb, I almost cried. Because I’ll feel that sometimes too. Sending you so much love & I hope you know you’re not alone. So thankful I came across this video (in the midst of my PMDD phase) 🥹🙏🏽
Miss your videos! I SO wish I could be a client of yours. I can tell you are a gem 💎
I have this as well. Suffered at least 20yrs now. Meds causrd infertility & chronic illness (for me not everyone) so I went off then 1.5yrs ago and learning to manage through natural means with the help of my psychiatrist. Timing of all this wasn't great as I lost my career due to mandates & had to deal with family deaths and past trauma it brought up which I think magnified everythinf & it was the first time I was passively suicidal. Hubby often mentioned it seems like I have some kind of PTSD. Always knew I would get stuck in freeze mode but started to look into CPTSD & the possibility of ADHD. Living with PMDD is horrific and those who don't have it will never truly understand.
I suspect I've lived with this since I was 13 but it really only became proper evident from age 17 when I had a huge life change. As soon as I ovulate thr flick switches, sometimes with only a few days releif a month atm. Can't sleep, can't make decisions, could literally stare at a wall, short tempered, everything irritates me, can't smile etc. It's really horrible & I feel like it's getting worse as I get older but that could also be because of the past 4yrs living in fight or flight due to CV mandates & differing opinions on world views when it comes to my marriage.
Hey Love, We dont see your posts anymore! Hope you are doing well! Keep em posts Coming! ❤
So much is making sense now.
My doctors don't even acknowledge complex PTSD. Its destroying my life and my body
What an interesting topic this about self love even if your own mind is against yourself, I´m totally agree. Its not soft to try to love yourself in the pmdd moments. But take the narrow path at the beginning i believe can brings a kind of discipline on the future to convince our mind about we deserve love our self even with this condition, we deserve to live even with all this pmdd thing. I think all the girls with this condition including me, had to be a big warriors, that's what we are. So let´s keep fighting to defend us every month. We can do it!
Wow.. thankyou❤
One of my takeaways: "How can I be with this better?"
This sounds just like me I did not even hear about this till a week ago
We miss you!
What if you have to go to work with it and face all those people ?
Is PMDD related to Complex-PTSD? I have recently noticed a pattern that a lot of people who have PMDD also have CPTSD. The feelings of CPTSD tend to be worse around that time period with the PMDD.
Why you’re not posting any videos 🥺
I miss her so much:(
I’m over it I’m taking antidepressants I don’t understand how you girls can just continue to suffer like this… the stress and anxiety destroyed my health… also what do you mean that week?!? My symptoms last for 2 weeks
You remind me so much of Mila Kunis
I don’t think it’s the patriarchy that is asking for women to work as hard as men. It’s other women, the matriarchy that is asking for the same treatment as men. I believe if women kept in mind our cycles instead of ignoring it while asking for the ability to work, we would not be in this position. We demanded to be treated like men, no wonder our bodies are not taken into account.
Hello Elisabeth! Is there a way i can get in touch with you? Do you take clients or will you in the future? I would love to get in contact with you if possible? Do you have a business email? Thank you for amazing content
Thank you so much for this, Elizabeth! ❤ It really resonated with me - and I feel like my journey has been similar to yours, and the place I'm at right now is extraordinarily similar! ❤ I have been feeling very lonely, though, having just cut contact with one of my only family members so it feels comforting to get the sense I'm a part of a community
Good morning Elizabeth. I am a psychology student, and I think we have some things in common. I could really use some guidance from someone farther down the path. I would love to connect…I am sending you a dm on Instagram 🔺.
Thank you 🙏🏼 Would you ever make a video about first starting trauma therapy for complex PTSD and what that’s like? I‘ve started with a great therapist a couple of months ago and while I‘m so glad I‘m doing this for myself, it’s also so terrifying and has completely turned me and my world upside down. It sounded a bit like your experience was similar? I‘m sure many people feel the same but I don’t hear it being talked about very much