Vicky Pattison left with anxiety, insomnia and dark thoughts in scary ordeal

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Vicky Pattison has revealed she dealt with 'crippling anxiety, insomnia and dark thoughts' as she suffered a premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) episode recently
Vicky Pattison has candidly opened up on the terrifying feelings she felt during her latest premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) episode. The former Geordie Shore star, 37, has regularly shared her condition with her followers in a bid to help others in her situation.
And now the reality TV star has confessed to just how bad things got recently, explaining the "crippling anxiety, insomnia and dark thoughts" she dealt with. In a tearful update on Instagram, Vicky shared a clip of herself explaining how the condition is affecting her.
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In the clip, Vicky also showed how her stomach bloats during the painful moments. She also showed herself eating, attending work projects and laughing before walking her dog and showing a billboard for her Get A Grip podcast.
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The reel also showed her wedding day in a mix of emotions. Vicky captioned the upload: "The highs & lows of PMDD. It's always a bit of a mixed bag with my PMDD- some months aren't so bad & I feel hopeful.
"And other months it just completely takes me out & I feel hopeless. Usually there's no real rhyme or reason. But last month I knew I was in for abit of a rough ride- I hadn't done anything that I know helps alleviate my symptoms."
She went on: "I hadn't been consistent with my supplements, my diet was atrocious & my schedule was just unrelenting so I went into my luteal phase not really standing a chance. But despite my concerns, nothing could have prepared me."
Vicky called the incident "terrifying", revealing she rang her sister in a desperate attempt as she didn't know what she was going to do. She told her how she also didn't know what she was capable of.
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The Geordie continued: "And after a week of crippling anxiety, insomnia, my inner critic finding fault at every turn & dark thoughts.. I know I meant it. And that's the thing with PMDD, one week you're this bright, shiny, brilliant woman who is strong, smart & ready for anything life throws at you.. & then your PMDD fog sets in and your brain convinces you that you're worthless, that everyone hates you & the world would be a better place without you in it.
"Every month I lose myself & descend further & further into this self loathing state & this month almost got the better of me."
She confessed she isn't looking for sympathy by sharing her story, but is talking out as she knows she is not alone. "Supposedly 1 in 20 women are dealing with PMDD, but due to medical misogyny, lack of awareness & misdiagnosis- I believe that number to be a lot higher.
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"Which means that there are thousands, if not millions of women suffering in silence or being ignored or gaslit into believing these things are normal. They aren't. You have a condition. A hormonal disorder & these thoughts are not a reflection of your actual value."
She urged anyone dealing with the condition to know they are not alone as she candidly told them the world "is better for having you in it". In her defiant message, she signed off: "You are a warrior.. you are powerful & you are UNSTOPPABLE."
Her honest words were met with an influx of praise in the comments section. Among those sending well wishes was Celebs Go Dating expert Anna Williamson.
She wrote: "So beautifully articulated @vickypattison," alongside a clapping hands emoji and a red love heart. Angela Scanlon also gushed: "Love you very much."
Una Healy was also among the thousands hitting the like button on the post.