Her Shift with Anna Pearce-Roberts

Introduction For years, I battled intense mood swings, depression, and debilitating anxiety that seemed to come in waves. Every month, like clockwork, I would spiral into a dark place, questioning my worth, my sanity, and my ability to cope with life. It wasn’t until I connected the dots between my past—the emotional abuse I endured from my narcissistic mother—and my present struggle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) that I finally began to heal. In this post, I’m sharing my journey in hopes that it helps others who may be going through the same thing.

What is PMDD? PMDD is a severe form of PMS that impacts mental health, causing extreme mood swings, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. While the medical world largely attributes it to hormonal sensitivity, I have come to believe that unresolved childhood trauma plays a major role in how our bodies respond to hormonal changes.

How Narcissistic Abuse Affects the Body and Mind Growing up with a narcissistic mother meant that I was never truly seen, heard, or valued. My emotions were invalidated, my boundaries ignored, and my self-worth crushed before I even had a chance to build it. This type of chronic emotional stress rewires the brain and body, keeping them in a state of fight-or-flight. Over time, this prolonged stress response leads to nervous system dysregulation, which can make someone more vulnerable to conditions like PMDD.

The Connection Between Trauma and PMDD

• Heightened Sensitivity to Stress: Studies suggest that childhood trauma increases cortisol levels and makes the body more reactive to stress. This means that when hormone levels fluctuate before a menstrual cycle, an already overwhelmed nervous system can go into overdrive.
• Nervous System Dysregulation: Trauma can keep the nervous system stuck in a hypervigilant or shut-down state, making it harder to regulate emotions and handle hormonal shifts.
• Self-Worth and Shame: Many PMDD sufferers experience deep self-hatred and guilt, feelings that are common in survivors of narcissistic abuse. This emotional baggage amplifies PMDD symptoms.

How I Began to Heal Healing PMDD for me meant going deeper than just treating symptoms—I had to address the root cause: unresolved trauma. Here’s what helped:

1. Recognizing the Pattern – Understanding that my intense emotions weren’t just ‘PMS’ but a trauma response helped me stop blaming myself.
2. Nervous System Healing – Practices like breathwork, somatic therapy, and vagus nerve exercises helped regulate my emotions.
3. Inner Child Work – I began reparenting myself, giving myself the love, validation, and safety I never received as a child.
4. Journaling & Self-Expression – Writing about my experiences allowed me to process and release pent-up emotions.
5. Nutritional & Lifestyle Changes – I started focusing on gut health, reducing inflammatory foods, and incorporating cycle-syncing practices.

Final Thoughts If you’re struggling with PMDD and have a history of childhood trauma, know that you’re not alone and you’re not broken. There is hope. Healing takes time, but by addressing both the physical and emotional wounds, you can begin to reclaim your life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed a connection between trauma and PMDD in your own life? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.