My daughter is 14, has been getting her period since 12, she suffers from horrid PMS, she's always been a highly strung and argumentative kid but in the few days leading up, she absolutely loses it, melt downs, anger, agression, crying, almost tantrum like, she absolutely will NOT listen to reason once she's like this, I spoke to her after her last period, after she had had her worst bout yet, it was horrendous, I told her I think it's PMS and I'm not trying to be horrible when I'm suggesting she takes some time out and space in her room etc....
Short of offering her wine and chocolate 😂 what else can I do??
We use essential oils, and I do try to get her to use them but when she's worked up, there's no talking to her.....
8 Replies
You're right, self managing and teaching the skills. Firstly to recognise it, secondly to know what to do, and then to be able to do it. Try helping her figure out what helps, chocolate and movie in your bed, a hot choc, a warm bath, find her things and then offer them or remind her to choose one.
Essential oils are good for making the house smell good but they won't help with periods. Have you tried offering her pain killers? That's the only thing that helps with mine.
Help her track her cycles and help her take time out during this time. Lower expectations/demands during her difficult days but honestly it sounds like a trip to the GP and a discussion about hormone therapies might be necessary. She needs to be able to function and life can’t continue to stop for her because she is due her period.
Exams and sport don’t stop because of PMS unfortunately.
I really don’t think essential oils will do much, unless you are using sensory triggers (smells) as part of breaking a panic cycle, they won’t work for her actual period.
As you describe her as ‘highly strung’ have you ever had her assessed by a paediatrician or child psychologist? Sounds like some help to regulate her emotions and an assessment could help all round. Might help for forming some coping mechanisms.
BTW many girls go undiagnosed for a wide range of conditions.
How were you when you first started?
Original poster here, it's not a pain issue, she has pain relief for that, it's the emotional side that is a problem, don't get me wrong, I get grumpy before mine but I tend to just tell the family I'm not feeling great and go to my room 😂
The oils we use more for calming/breathing techniques
Seek a doctor's opinion as something medical could be suggested by them. The contaceptive pill could also help as its not just for pregnancy prevention, its also for hormonal imbalances that can cause awful mood swings .
The reason why I ask is family history may play a part.
I agree, nothing short of chocolate and wine... it is a tough time. I use to be sent home from school because I'd become so sensitive, all someone would have to do is look at me and I'd burst into tears.
Then my period became horrible. It still is! In the end, I had a mirena implanted at 28. It helped ALOT.
She's too young but speaking to a GP about her specific needs might help.
Contraceptives may help. There not just good for stopping pregnancy also helps with moods, pain, how heavy her period is, will also help with acne. Go to a Dr.