Navigating PMDD & the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be joyful, but depending on where you land in your menstrual cycle this time of year can also feel like an emotional nightmare, particularly for those living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. End of the year responsibilities, social expectations and heightened stress around getting it together for the new year makes your symptoms worse.

To help you move through some of the overwhelm, CPDA is chatting with Leigh Hunter, MSW, who's a psychotherapist and has PMDD (@levelupwithleighh ). She'll share tips, advice and tools to empower you and help set boundaries for your health and personal well-being.

Here is what you will learn from this event:

• Understanding PMDD through the holiday lens: why symptoms may feel amplified and how to identify your personal triggers
• Practical coping strategies: emotional regulation tools, self-advocacy tips, boundary-setting, and symptom management
• Navigating social expectations: communicating needs and feelings with family, friends, and partners
• Creating your customized holiday support plan: so you can move through the holiday season with clarity and kindness towards yourself.

We highly suggest you have a pen and some paper handy or even your notes app so you can take down any important points and look back on them after.

Zoom links for the event will be sent to your personal email a day or two before the event.

Trigger Warning: This event will include open discussion about PMDD, mental health challenges, emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, and experiences related to the holiday season. These topics may be triggering for some attendees.

Please take care of yourself throughout the session—step away, mute, turn off your camera, or take breaks whenever needed. Your well-being comes first.

Disclaimer: This event is not a substitute for therapy. If you need help please reach out to any of the following resources:

Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8

Gerstein Centre: 416-929-520024/7

Interlinge LGBTQ+ Helpline: call or text 1 888-505-1010 (Quebec based, will help ON residents).

Trans Lifeline: call or text 1-877-330-6366 on Monday-Friday 1pm-9pm24/7

Talk4Healing Indigenous Women: 1-855-554-HEAL

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 416-863-0511