Vicky Pattison suffered from "suicidal thoughts" because of her PMDD.
Vicky Pattison opens up about her PMDD diagnosis
The 35-year-old reality star was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder earlier this year and revealed that the condition left her suffering from a "constant cycle" of despair at certain periods of the month.
Speaking on ITV's 'Good Morning Britain', she said: "Honestly, the best way I've ever heard it described is that PMDD is like building a sand castle of good habits, great relationships positive habits, going for morning runs, drinking green juice giving birth to an avocado, whatever it is. And then every month, a wave comes and takes away all those things and leaves only hopelessness and despair. It's this constant cycle. It was despair, hopelessness, overwhelm, chronic fatigue, crippling anxiety, and - in some darker moments - suicidal thoughts."
The 'Geordie Shore' legend went on to explain that the condition can often be misdiagnosed as depression and called on the NHS to start treating the two as separate issues as she revealed where she is at with her treatment.
She added: "10 percent of women are diagnosed with PMDD but the number of people could be much higher could be much higher. It's often misdiagnosed as depression. When I explained my symptoms, I was offered anti-depressants. I think if I was suffering with depression and every day I woke up with feelings of despair and hopelessness, I would take antidepressants, I have no problems accepting this.
"However, this was different. I love my life, I'm very fortunate, I'm mentally strong, and all the rest of it, this is just 10 days of the month. And I don't think it's too much to ask for women suffering from PMDD rather than depression, because they are different.
"It's not a one-size-fits-all with medication and because my diagnosis is relatively recent, I'm on the first course of action which is like a combination contraceptive pill. I'm hopeful that the symptoms will alleviate."
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