In Love with PMDD

Dr. Rose Alkattan

Welcome to the In Love with PMDD Podcast, I am your Host Dr. Rose Alkattan, your PMDD Relationship Psychotraumatologist.  Each week, I will be teaching you my signature PMDD Trauma Transformational Tools where I help PMDD Partners to STOP Breaking up every month. We Got This!

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Your PMDD Brain Makes Forgiving Your Partner Feel Impossible

    Send a text PMDD Pyramid Private Sessions Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok Ever feel like forgiveness resets every month, no matter how many talks or apologies you’ve had? We dig into why PMDD turns small misunderstandings into full-blown ruptures and why the same argument keeps resurfacing in luteal, even when things felt fine days ago. I break down what’s actually happening in the brain—how the prefrontal cortex goes partially offline and the limbic system goes into overdrive—so you can stop blaming willpower and start using strategies that work. Together, we separate three kinds of forgiveness that often get tangled: decisional forgiveness (the choice to move forward even when feelings lag), emotional forgiveness (calming the limbic alarm so apologies can land), and self-forgiveness (releasing the heavy shame about how you showed up in PMDD). You’ll learn why talk therapy can unintentionally amplify old hurts in luteal, how to name the “PMDD brain” in real time to slow reactivity, and what it takes to create relational safety after rage—without demanding impossible guarantees. I share simple, repeatable tools: pause-and-repair scripts, scheduled re-entry after a trigger, and narrative reframing that corrects all-or-nothing thinking and restores a balanced view of your partner. We also get practical about structure. I explain the PMDD Pyramid approach—first individual sessions for the PMDD partner, then for the non-PMDD partner, and finally a short, focused joint session—to prevent re-triggering and turn insight into a clear plan. We close with ways to “seal the loop” so your nervous system stops scanning for the same threat: tiny behavior changes, a checklist for sensitive tasks, and a living “receipt of good” list that offsets negativity bias when logic is dim. If you’re tired of monthly breakups, apologies that don’t land, and intimacy on pause, this conversation offers a calm map out of the cycle. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review telling me the one tool you’ll try this week.

    43 min
  2. JAN 30

    The PMDD Lens

    Send us a text Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok Ever feel rock-solid about your partner one week and ready to leave the next? That whiplash isn’t proof your relationship is broken—it’s the PMDD lens shifting how your brain reads love, safety, and support. We unpack why the luteal phase pushes your mind into protection mode, why breakup urges feel so convincing, and how to stop emotions from masquerading as evidence. We talk through the sneaky power of “should” statements—how they create silent expectations, erase your partner’s efforts, and turn love into a pass-fail test. Then we trade rules for preferences and criticism for clear requests: “I need reassurance tonight,” “I prefer a text before bed,” and “I need a quieter space.” You’ll learn cycle-aware tools to pause decisions, run a PMDD reality check, and build small rituals that keep connection steady when symptoms spike. We also address misophonia and other sensory triggers, outlining ways to normalize them without blaming your partner or shaming yourself. By the end, you’ll have a simple playbook: label the distortion, use a mantra to slow down, ask specifically for what helps, and defer big choices until your follicular phase. Love doesn’t require perfection—just structure, language, and grace that fit a PMDD brain. If your relationship is fundamentally safe and caring, these steps can protect it from a bad phase and keep the good you’ve built. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more PMDD couples find practical support.

    27 min
  3. JAN 20

    Why Breaking Up Won’t Fix PMDD Stress

    Send us a text Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok Ever feel like one tiny comment can tip your whole relationship over? PMDD can make the ordinary feel unbearable, not because your love changed, but because your stress response did. We pull back the curtain on how the luteal phase cranks up the body’s alarm system—spiking cortisol, shrinking emotional tolerance, and distorting what you think your partner means—so neutral moments read like rejection and everyday chores feel like cliffs. We walk through real‑life flashpoints, like time management clashes and airport anxiety, to show how different nervous systems handle stress. You’ll hear a simple shift—explaining the why behind your behavior—turn rigidity into care and defensiveness into teamwork. We dig into the intimacy gap that opens when fatigue pushes you into autopilot, and how two‑minute check‑ins can keep connection alive without draining your last bit of energy. Instead of chasing a stress‑free fantasy, we focus on building a responsive plan: safe time‑outs for rage, short body resets to lower baseline arousal, and weekly “release the pressure” rituals that stop micro‑triggers from stockpiling. Using the balloon metaphor, we map how unaddressed stress accumulates all month and pops during PMDD. The fix isn’t a breakup or silence until it blows; it’s steady processing while your brain can still think clearly. We share tools to align on hot zones before they heat up, trade roles when energy dips, and name what’s happening in plain language so your partner stops feeling like the enemy. By seeing stress as a shared opponent and PMDD as a filter—not a verdict—you can protect your bond and move through the luteal phase with more clarity, compassion, and control. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to tell us the tool you’re trying first.

    32 min
  4. JAN 2

    How Unresolved Trauma Shapes PMDD And Relationships

    Send us a text What if the fights, shutdowns, and spirals aren’t “just hormones,” but trauma resurfacing on a monthly schedule? We take you inside the lived reality of PMDD as a trauma amplifier—how it trains the brain to expect danger, erodes emotional safety at home, and fuels shame loops that make repair feel impossible. Through a raw personal story of a New Year’s trigger and years of clinical work, we map the path from unpredictable reactions to practical regulation. You’ll learn why triggers aren’t the cause but the clue, and how to trace them back to core wounds like abandonment, neglect, or betrayal. We break down the nervous system mechanics behind PMDD—chronic overwhelm, lost recovery windows, and hypervigilance—and show how these patterns turn jokes into jabs and routine requests into rejection. Then we shift to transformation: acceptance as accurate data, boundaries that protect connection, and action‑based tools that calm your body before your words cause damage. Think paced breathing, movement to discharge stress, repair windows after conflict, and clear scripts that slow things down when emotions surge. We also draw a firm line between partner support and therapy. Empathy, softness, and small adjustments help, but your partner cannot and should not carry the weight of your processing. Consistent counseling builds resilience across cycles so you’re not rebuilding from scratch every month. If you’ve ever thought, “I should be over this by now,” or felt scared of who you become in luteal days, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling us the one trigger you’re ready to transform. Your nervous system will thank you.

    28 min
  5. 12/06/2025

    Stop Acting Like Roommates, Start Feeling Like Lovers

    Send us a text It’s easy to blame “too many feelings” for the distance in a relationship. The truth is harder—and far more hopeful: emotions aren’t the problem; misalignment, suppression, and tone are. After weeks on the road and deep reflection, I’m sharing the tools and stories that helped me see why some bonds thrive through hard conversations while others collapse into polite cohabiting. We dig into how the nervous system shapes every conflict. When PMDD or trauma flips the threat switch, the amygdala drowns out logic and language. You can’t out-think a hijacked brain—but you can regulate it. I walk through the difference between suppression and real regulation, why stonewalling hurts as much as rage, and how to process in real time without making your partner your therapist. You’ll learn to catch the story you tell yourself—“they don’t care” versus “they had a hard day”—and pick the thought that leads to compassion, not combat. We also talk alignment: if you need solitude to process, choose someone who self-soothes instead of chasing you with insecurity. If you process out loud, you need a listener who treats sharing as intimacy, not a threat. Communication tone becomes the hinge: the same boundary can sound like control or love depending on delivery. I share scripts, boundary phrases, and a framework that keeps connection front and center while you solve the problem. Leadership emerges here too; respect is earned by tenderness and steadiness, not demanded by volume or titles. If you’re ready to replace endless “knowledge” with steady implementation, my January monthly coaching packages are opening with limited spots. We’ll uncover blind spots, install PMDD-aware tools, and practice the small, daily moves that keep you close even in the hard moments. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with the one tool you’ll try this week. Your emotions can be the bridge back to intimacy—let’s build it together.

    54 min
  6. 11/13/2025

    Your Partner Texted “Sure” And You Planned A PMDD Breakup

    Send us a text Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok Ever feel like your relationship hits the same wall every month? We’ve been there, and we’re unpacking why PMDD can turn a tiny spark into a wildfire—and how to stop living in the loop. We break down how surface fights about chores, texts, and tone usually point to deeper beliefs about safety, value, rejection, and abandonment. When PMDD heightens emotional sensitivity in the luteal phase, every delay, sigh, or raised voice can feel like proof of the worst story in your head. The fix isn’t fewer conversations; it’s better ones. We walk through a practical framework to move from reaction to repair. First, name the core belief driving the argument: “When voices rise, I feel unsafe.” Then take ownership of impact without blame, and invite your partner to accommodate the sensitivity—lower intensity, use clearer check-ins, and protect tone. We share the 90‑second pause to break the trigger–reaction cycle and a simple conflict plan that signals space without abandonment: specific words, timelines, and a commitment to revisit. Curiosity beats criticism every time; a question can save you from a spiral an accusation would guarantee. You’ll also hear how past wounds resurface in present conflicts and how to map those links so you can heal instead of recycle them. Expect actionable prompts to identify your repeating fight, the primary emotion beneath it, and the earliest memory it echoes. By reframing arguments as mirrors—not battles—you’ll start releasing the monthly pain pattern and rebuilding trust, respect, and intimacy. If you’re ready to stop the PMDD argument loop and reconnect with steadier communication, hit play, save these tools, and share them with your partner. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one fight you’re retiring this month. Neutral moments shouldn’t feel like alarms, yet PMDD can make a delayed text or a flat “sure” feel like the start of a fight you’ve already lost. We unpack hypervigilance—the brain’s threat detector stuck on high—and show how past blowups and the luteal phase can turn everyday signals into panic, pushing both partners into sleepless nights, silent treatments, and “roommate mode.” You’ll hear why unresolved conflicts amplify anxiety, how catastrophizing takes over, and what it takes to feel emotionally safe again without walking on eggshells. We get practical fast. Learn the evidence check to separate fact from fear, the 90-second reset to ride emotional surges before you speak, and self-soothing routines that reduce dependence on constant reassurance. We talk about gratitude as a nervous-system tool that trains your attention toward your partner’s efforts instead of fixating on flaws, and we explore how protective withdrawal—pulling back to avoid pain—quietly erodes intimacy. You’ll also get two clear paths for defusing tone and text triggers: request small behavior tweaks when possible, or reframe intent and retrain your own response when it isn’t. Throughout, we emphasize customized repair—agreements, phrases, and routines tailored to your personalities and schedules—so your mind has proof that the next hard moment won’t become the last disaster. When your relationship has a plan, your body stops bracing for impact. If a thumbs-up emoji can send you spiraling, or you’re tired of the “are we okay?” loop, this conversation gives you practical language and tools to find calm, rebuild trust, and strengthen

    41 min
  7. 10/30/2025

    Stop Repeating The Same Fight Every Month

    Send us a text Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok Ever feel like your relationship hits the same wall every month? We’ve been there, and we’re unpacking why PMDD can turn a tiny spark into a wildfire—and how to stop living in the loop. We break down how surface fights about chores, texts, and tone usually point to deeper beliefs about safety, value, rejection, and abandonment. When PMDD heightens emotional sensitivity in the luteal phase, every delay, sigh, or raised voice can feel like proof of the worst story in your head. The fix isn’t fewer conversations; it’s better ones. We walk through a practical framework to move from reaction to repair. First, name the core belief driving the argument: “When voices rise, I feel unsafe.” Then take ownership of impact without blame, and invite your partner to accommodate the sensitivity—lower intensity, use clearer check-ins, and protect tone. We share the 90‑second pause to break the trigger–reaction cycle and a simple conflict plan that signals space without abandonment: specific words, timelines, and a commitment to revisit. Curiosity beats criticism every time; a question can save you from a spiral an accusation would guarantee. You’ll also hear how past wounds resurface in present conflicts and how to map those links so you can heal instead of recycle them. Expect actionable prompts to identify your repeating fight, the primary emotion beneath it, and the earliest memory it echoes. By reframing arguments as mirrors—not battles—you’ll start releasing the monthly pain pattern and rebuilding trust, respect, and intimacy. If you’re ready to stop the PMDD argument loop and reconnect with steadier communication, hit play, save these tools, and share them with your partner. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one fight you’re retiring this month.

    44 min
  8. 10/22/2025

    Unmet Needs In A PMDD Relationship

    Send us a text Me Before PMDD: Relationship Reset Toolkit-Couples Click to Book a Private PMDD Session Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok What if the biggest fights in your PMDD relationship aren’t about love at all, but about invisible rules no one agreed to? We dig into the quiet power of expectations—how they form, why they go unmet, and how to rebuild them so both partners feel seen and safe. From childhood habits of pretending to adult patterns of painting red flags green, we trace how fantasy keeps resentment alive and then replace it with a practical plan for clarity and connection. I share the season of stepping back from dating, traveling for reflection, and designing a life that actually lights me up. That shift didn’t erase PMDD, but it softened symptoms and cut stress, which changed everything at home. We talk about aligning expectations with who you both truly are—free spirit or homebody, planner or improviser—so you stop negotiating with reality. You’ll learn daily capacity check-ins, how to turn unspoken “ifs” into clear requests, and why mind reading is the fastest route to bitterness. We also challenge common myths: your partner can’t fix PMDD, emotional consistency won’t be identical every week, and recovery after bleeding isn’t instant. Instead, we build small, sustainable rituals of care and repair: asking what’s needed today, naming limits without shame, and letting intimacy ebb and flow without making it mean rejection. If you’re ready to replace emotional landmines with agreements that hold steady across the cycle, this conversation is your roadmap. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it today, and leave a quick review so more PMDD couples can find these tools. Your words help others feel less alone.

    39 min
4.9
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Welcome to the In Love with PMDD Podcast, I am your Host Dr. Rose Alkattan, your PMDD Relationship Psychotraumatologist.  Each week, I will be teaching you my signature PMDD Trauma Transformational Tools where I help PMDD Partners to STOP Breaking up every month. We Got This!