mood swings shouldn’t require a detective badge, but sometimes it feels like they do.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your emotional rollercoaster is PMDD or bipolar disorder, you’re far from alone.
Both can cause wild mood swings, deep depression, and “who even am I today?” energy. Both can also make you feel like you’re losing control of your own mind.
But here’s the thing: PMDD and bipolar disorder aren’t the same thing. They just look like sisters, from the outside.
And knowing which one you’re actually dealing with changes how you treat it.
Let’s unpack it
What Is PMDD?
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a hormone-based mood disorder that occurs during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle so about 1–2 weeks before your period.
When your hormones and serotonin levels fluctuate, your emotional regulation can crash. The result?
A cluster of PMDD symptoms like:
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Sudden depression or hopelessness
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Intense irritability or rage
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Crying spells and emotional overwhelm
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Anxiety or panic
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Fatigue and brain fog
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Feeling detached or unlike yourself
- and so much more
Here’s the key: PMDD symptoms disappear after your period starts.
They’re cyclical, meaning they come and go with your menstrual cycle.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder rooted in brain chemistry, not hormones.
It causes shifts between depressive episodes (low energy, hopelessness, withdrawal) and manic or hypomanic episodes (high energy, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, less sleep).
Unlike PMDD, bipolar mood changes are not tied to your menstrual cycle.
They can last for days, weeks, or even months, and don’t follow predictable hormonal patterns.
PMDD vs Bipolar: How to Tell the Difference
Let’s make it simple.
| Feature | PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) | Bipolar Disorder |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Various Causes | Brain chemistry imbalance |
| Timing | Luteal phase (2 weeks before period) | Random, not tied to cycle |
| Duration | Clears when period starts | Lasts days to months |
| Mood Pattern | Predictable & cyclical | Irregular & unpredictable |
| Treatment Focus | Hormone balance, PMDD therapy, lifestyle | Mood stabilizers, therapy, medication |
If your mood swings follow your menstrual cycle, that points more toward PMDD.
If they’re unrelated to your period and come out of nowhere, that’s more in line with bipolar disorder or possibly another disorder.
Why PMDD Is So Often Misdiagnosed as Bipolar
Here’s the frustrating truth: PMDD and bipolar share overlapping symptoms.
Irritability, depression, impulsive thoughts ...to some... they look identical on paper.
That’s why so many people (especially women) are misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when they actually have PMDD.
Doctors may not think to track symptoms across your cycles, missing the hormonal connection entirely. This is a disaster of an error though, because the medications you'd be taking, varies depending on the condition you have.
If you feel like your mood swings have a monthly rhythm, start tracking your symptoms using a PMDD mood tracker app or journal.
Patterns don’t lie and they can help you get the right diagnosis.
Getting Help and Finding the Right Diagnosis
If you’re stuck wondering whether you have PMDD or bipolar disorder:
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Track symptoms daily for 3 cycles.
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Note when symptoms start and stop in relation to your period.
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Bring your log to a PMDD-informed provider - OB-GYN, psychiatrist, or therapist familiar with hormone-based mood disorders.
- Advocate for yourself. PMDD awareness is still growing ... as silly as it seems, you might have to educate your doctor a bit.
before you go...
Whether you’re living with PMDD or bipolar disorder, your feelings are real, your struggle is valid, and you’re not alone. And yes, it's possible to have both.
If you're having trouble finding one of my blogs, shoot me a message using the green chat button or leave a comment. I'll gladly help you find the info you need.
Until next time....