Why PMDD Gets Mistaken For Narcissism
PMDD is tough. It messes with your head and heart. People think it’s narcissism. Why?
PMDD Symptoms Mimic Narcissism
PMDD symptoms can look like traits of narcissism. Mood swings. Irritability. Feeling overwhelmed. Sound familiar? These can seem like self-centeredness to outsiders.
Narcissism: Trait vs. Disorder
Narcissism isn’t just one thing. It’s a spectrum. Some people have traits. Others have Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Big difference.
Cognitive Empathy Deficits
PMDD can mess with empathy. You might seem uncaring. But you’re just flooded with inputs. It’s not that you don’t care. You’re overwhelmed.
"Your empathy isn't missing. You are in a distressed state which is flooding you with inputs."
Survival State vs. Stable Traits
During the luteal phase, your body is in survival mode. It’s not who you are. PMDD is like a cranked-up trait. But it cranks down too.
"A survival state can look like a trait that’s cranked up, but a trait doesn’t crank up and crank down."
Diagnostic Criteria Gaps
Narcissistic Personality Disorder criteria focus on grandiose traits. Often, they miss how women present these traits. Especially during PMDD.
Relationship Dynamics
Relationships get messy with PMDD. Dysregulation looks like narcissism. But it’s just a state, not a personality trait.
"The problem is that you're swamped by your own distress, so much so that you can't really climb out of it far enough to see another person's side and perspective."
Personal Empathy Distress
When you’re in the luteal phase, empathy feels far away. It’s not gone. Just buried under the stress.
Jes’s Story
I lived with PMDD for 17 years. Misdiagnosed. People called me selfish. Narcissistic. I even sought evaluation for personality disorders. Now, I help others.
"PMDD might feel like your whole story, but it's just a chapter, and you get to write what comes next."
Bottom Line
PMDD symptoms aren’t who you are. They’re a phase. Not a personality. Understanding this is key.
Actionable Advice
- Track your symptoms. Look for patterns.
- Question diagnoses. Seek professional help.
- Know empathy is still there. It’s just hard to access.
- Consider relationship dynamics.
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Catch the full episode of PMDD Pep Talk Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
