SSRI?s (Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors)

*Sarafem (Prozac)
*Paxil
*Zoloft
*Celexa

Anxiety Medications

*Xanax
*Klonopin
*Ativan
*Buspar

These medications can be taken just during the 2 weeks prior to menses for milder cases or throughout the month for more severe symptoms. In general birth control pills or other types of hormones are not used as initial treatment.

Other considerations in treatment of PMS or PMDD are nutritional and behavioral approaches. Generally it is recommended to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol, caffeine and salt. Some also believe that avoiding sugar and complex carbohydrates is effective. Calcium, although beneficial to women does not seem to have an effect on PMDD. Exercise is strongly recommended for PMS, although again, it has not been proven to help PMDD. Other helpful tools are: relaxation techniques, meditation and yoga. Psychotherapy is suggested for both PMS and PMDD.

Some Common Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder

Mood Stabilizers and Anticonvulsants

*Lithium, Lithobid or Eskalith
*Depakote
*Tegretol
*Neurontin
*Lamictal
*Topamax

Antipsychotics
*Zyprexa
*Zeldox
*Seroquel

SSRI?s (Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors)/H2>

*Sarafem (Prozac)
*Paxil
*Zoloft
*Celexa

Anxiety Medications

*Xanax
*Klonopin
*Ativan
*Buspar

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA?s)

*Tofranil
*Pamelor
*Norpramin
*Elavil
*Sinequan

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI?s)

*Nardil
*Parnate
*Marplan

Tranquilizers

*Haldol
*Clozaril
*Loxitane
*Permitil
*Geodon

The last factor to consider is brain imaging, specifically SPECT imaging. I couldn?t find any specifics on PMDD but did find images and descriptions for PMS and for Bipolar Disorder. PMS imaging shows increased deep limbic activity often accompanied by temporal lobe hypoperfusion that correlates with cyclic mood changes. On the other hand, Bipolar, along with similar imaging as PMS, is characterized with increased activity across the cerebral cortex. During manic phases scans often look hyperactive, especially in the lateral frontal cortex, lateral parietal lobes and the lateral temporal lobes. Even though I don?t understand what this brain imaging means, I can distinguish the difference between the areas that are effected by PMS and the additional areas that are effected by Bipolar Disorder.

By Terry Coyier

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