"Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder" - UCF Bump In The Road Essay

I'm sorry that I've yet to post up an essay (I will do that when I'm through with it, instructions and all.), but you see I was kind of worried as to whether the topic was appropriate. Also, I'm having a little difficulty trying to figure out a way to go about writing it.

Basically, it's about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (Wow, that doesn't sound serious at all.) and how it affected my academic/social/family life before my parents decided that it was problematic enough that maybe I should see a doctor to figure out what the hell was wrong with me. It gave me all of the following: migraines, difficulty concentrating, mood lability, insomnia, depression, and a lovely disinterest in daily life (relationships and activities). So, combine that with the fact that it usually lasted for 2 weeks out of every month, and you'll have my life in a nutshell.

Now, does anyone think that appropriate to put into this essay, or should I come up with something else? And if it is appropriate, do you think I should go about it in the first person? Or some other way?

Hi Priscilla!

I think your topic is appropriate, at least in theory--of course, you just have to make sure that it is properly contextualized and grounded. You will need to really educate your reader on what PMDD really is, and understand that generally speaking, there is a resistance/stigma to new, lesser understood health conditions. That being said, if you can effectively paint a realistic, stark portrait of what it's like to live with PMDD, I think you'll be in great shape.

Remember--balance educating your reader with sharing your personal experience! I think it's an excellent topic that could prove truly illuminating, educational and sophisticated.

I suspect that there is a lot more to your life than this "bump in the road," but they asked about the bump, so we have to do it... Jansen may be on to something, there, with the concern about social stigma. I know what he means, though I don't know how to explain it -- but the newer disorders are taken less seriously by lots of people.

I think the solution is this: PMDD was involved with that situation, but so were a lot of other things. I don't think you need to identify with PMDD, particularly. It really was just a bump in the road. How about writing profound truth illustrated by unforgettable exchanges that took place around this time?