Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) remains an underdiagnosed condition affecting up to 8% of reproductive-age women.
Expert registered counsellor Amanda Westphal, a third-generation PMDD sufferer, is calling for urgent action on this often-overlooked health crisis. With 25.5% of sufferers waiting over 20 years for a diagnosis and 77% experiencing suicidal ideation, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“PMDD isn’t just severe PMS—it’s a mental health condition devastating lives every single month,” says Ms Westphal. “Women are losing jobs, relationships, and—most critically—their sense of self, because this disorder goes undiagnosed for far too long. It’s a health crisis that needs immediate attention.”
Without proper healthcare pathways, many women turn to social media groups for support, navigating the overwhelming symptoms of PMDD on their own. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, comprehensive training for healthcare providers, and better support systems for women affected by PMDD.
Ms Westphal’s personal experience with PMDD drives her mission to raise awareness and support women living through its relentless symptoms—extreme mood swings, debilitating fatigue, and intense irritability that can last up to two weeks every month.
“What’s truly alarming is how few people—including healthcare providers—understand the gravity of PMDD,” she says. “We need more training, more research, and more support systems in place before more lives are lost.”
For more information on PMDD and Amanda Westphal’s counselling services, visit amandawestphal.com.au or contact hello@amandawestphal.com.au.
