This Twitter Thread About PMDD And It’s Fatal Effects On Women, Is An Eye Opener

Soon the year 2018 will come to an end. This year had us see many ups and downs as a nation. On one hand, the number of rapes and sexual violence cases reported is enough to make our skins crawl. On the other, we as a nation, have finally decriminalised homosexuality, a small step in the right direction. However, even among the young men and women, or anyone who is relatively open-minded for that matter, one topic is most often hushed.

Periods. Menstruation. Or chums, as some call it. Or the “ladies problem” for those too embarrassed to use any of the other names. Even in this day and age, there are people who consider a woman to be impure during those days of the month when her body goes through a perfectly natural biological process.

And in that case, it is rather ambitious to expect people to be aware of or even interested in how a woman’s body and mind is affected by the menstruation cycle.

As soon as a woman shows the slightest indication of being annoyed or irritated, be whatever the cause of her discomfort, it is widely assumed that she is on “those days”. This ignorance often develops into being completely oblivious to the harmful side effects of menstruation.

Shehla Rashid took to Twitter to shed light on one such manifestation of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) that could have fatal results. She started with the following disclaimer:

Okay, so, I've decided to share a deeply personal story on Twitter, even though I know that Twitter isn't kind at all. But I'm sharing this personal story in public interest, hoping it might reach someone who needs to hear this. (1/n)

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

She then got into the matter on hand and turns out, its something most women go through:

A few days ago, I started having strong suicidal thoughts. I had been feeling that way for two weeks. But that night, I actually looked up ways to end my life & enacted many of them in my head. Next day, I got my period. I looked up "PMS + suicide" and found out about PMDD. (2/n) pic.twitter.com/R5mOP9QpCV

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

PMDD or Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severe, sometimes disabling extension of PMS. Its symptoms include extreme sadness, hopelessness, depression, irritability or anger apart from the usual symptoms of PMS.

Shehla continues:

PMDD is not often acknowledged as an issue, because, well, it concerns women. But if you care about your sister, partner, or friend do raise awareness about PMDD. It's scary how real it can get. You start picking ways and spots to end your life. You start planning it! (3/n)

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

And then she spoke about another rising unchecked danger of this electronic world we live in:

And then, of course, you have algorithms to help you die. Since I was actually contemplating suicide, I didn't care that I was logged in. And this morning @Quora sends me an email asking if I'm still contemplating suicide, and that they're here to help! (4/n) pic.twitter.com/0QTivHADD2

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

In a world where algorithms will help you end your life if you want to end your life, it's really important to share information about PMDD – premenstrual dysphoric disorder – a severe form of PMS that can even make you suicidal. Knowing it can prevent it. (5/n)

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

She ended her Twitter thread with a piece of important advice:

If there are women in your friend circle or family whom you care about, don't dismiss PMDD as mood swing. Don't tell her that she's imagining it. It's hormonal. Be supportive. Don't say that "men also get stressed". Women are already supportive and considerate about men's issues.

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) September 23, 2018

Be careful ladies. Your body goes through insane changes every single month. We can have our periods every month and still be bosses, but not if we don’t take our health seriously. So, do not take shifts in your mood lightly and always be aware of what’s happening to you.