Vicky Pattison has responded to some of the negative comments she's received after she revealed she has PMDD.
Last month, the former Geordie Shore star - who has gone on to appear in other reality TV shows such as I'm A Celeb... Get Me Out of Here and Loose Women - revealed she'd been diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) after fighting for five years to get an official diagnosis.
While the 35-year-old has received mass support online from other PMDD sufferers, she's also sadly been subject to negative comments and has since responded to the trolls via her TikTok page.
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Pattison first took to Instagram to open up about her diagnosis last week, explaining she's 'struggled with [her] periods [her] whole adult life' but the last five years her 'PMS symptoms have been completely out of control'.
She wrote: "It has affected my relationships, my work & my quality of life. At times, it made me feel like I was going insane - I just do not recognise myself for two weeks of the month & ever so gradually - that time frame is becoming longer - & sometimes, when I'm proper in the midst of this & totally consumed by my own dark thoughts I convince myself that I'm never going to get better.. that these feelings & thoughts aren't temporary. That this is who I am now. And that terrifies me."
After years of seeing different doctors and being told by one it must be a result of her cyst, the 35-year-old says she was made to feel like she was 'hysterical' and 'weak'.
Realising she couldn't go on as she was - feeling 'depressed, despondent and hopeless' for 'half the month' - Pattison decided to go private and managed to get a formal diagnosis of PMDD.
According to the Office on Women's Health PMDD 'is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious'.
It explains: "PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts. "Symptoms usually go away two to three days after your period starts. You may need medicine or other treatment to help with your symptoms."
In her Instagram post, Pattison resolved: "For the first time in ages.. I feel more positive. For anyone else struggling with PMS symptoms and wanting to know more about PMDD, please head to my insta story."
However, among followers reaching out to her in camaraderie and support, Pattison also faced some severe trolling.
In a post uploaded to TikTok yesterday (3 September), Pattison shared some comments she's received since her diagnosis and footage of her dancing and responding to them.
One of the comments reads: "Another celeb just creating an illness to stay relevant."
"The majority of us suffer. We just get on with it," another adds.
A third says: "Does this explain why she's been a c***t for so many years???"
Pattison's video caption reads: "You've got to laugh... or you'll cry. All of these from women aswell btw. Howay lasses, its 2023.. lets do better! #foryou #fyp #fypage #fy #foryoupage #funny #pmdd."
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Instagram, Life, Real Life, Social media, TikTok
Poppy Bilderbeck