Vicky Pattison has given an update on her battle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), revealing she recently experienced a “terrifying” episode which left her “not knowing what she was capable of”.
The TV personality, 37, who has spoken previously about living with the hormone-based condition, shared an emotional update with fans on Instagram this week, revealing she was left so overwhelmed by symptoms she called her sister in distress, saying: “I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
In a series of clips shared to Instagam stories on Wednesday, Pattison tearfully described the mental and physical toll of PMDD — a severe and often debilitating form of premenstrual syndrome — and the spiralling anxiety, insomnia and dark thoughts she faced during her most recent luteal phase.
“It’s always a bit of a mixed bag with my PMDD – some months aren’t so bad and I feel hopeful,” she wrote in the caption. “Other months it just completely takes me out and I feel hopeless.”
She went on: “Last month I knew I was in for a rough ride – I hadn’t done the things that usually help. I hadn’t been consistent with my supplements, my diet was atrocious, and my schedule was unrelenting. But despite that, nothing could have prepared me.”
“It was terrifying. I rang my sister and told her I didn’t know what I was going to do. That I genuinely didn’t know what I was capable of.”
Pattison, who rose to fame on Geordie Shore, has become an outspoken advocate for PMDD awareness. The condition, often misdiagnosed or dismissed, affects around one in 20 women according to NHS estimates — though many experts and campaigners believe the true figure could be much higher due to underreporting and lack of awareness.
“Every month I lose myself,” she continued. “One week I’m this bright, shiny, brilliant woman who’s strong, smart and ready for anything. Then the PMDD fog sets in and convinces me I’m worthless — that everyone hates me and the world would be better without me in it.”
She described the cycle of “crippling anxiety, relentless self-criticism and sleepless nights” as almost unbearable, adding: “This month almost got the better of me.”
Pattison said she wasn’t sharing her experience for sympathy, but in the hope of reaching other women who may be struggling in silence. “Due to medical misogyny, lack of awareness and misdiagnosis, I believe there are thousands — if not millions — of women suffering alone.”
“This isn’t normal,” she added. “You have a condition. A hormonal disorder. These thoughts are not a reflection of your actual value.”
Concluding her post with a message of hope, she wrote: “You are not alone. You are a warrior. You are powerful. And you are unstoppable.”
Her comments come weeks after she hit back at online trolls accusing her of exaggerating or fabricating her health issues. Pattison has previously spoken about the stigma she’s faced, including claims she was “making it up to stay relevant” — accusations she’s called both “ignorant” and “heartbreaking”.
