Vicky Pattison shares health diagnosis after spending half the month lost from periods

Vicky Pattison has shared her new health diagnosis after struggling with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) for years – which she's described as having been "completely out of control".

The 35 year old former Geordie Shore star took to Instagram to share a number of snaps of herself looking deflated and without makeup as she frowned into the camera or took mirror selfies in her bra and knickers.

In her post, she talked about being "pacified" by doctors when she told them about her symptoms, which "affected my relationships, my work & my quality of life" as she reveals she spends "half the month lost" due to the effects.

She then made the decision to tackle her healthcare problem privately, and she revealed how she cried because she felt "f*****g heard" after the doctor diagnosed her with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

On her Instagram stories, she shared a number of helpful graphs to show what someone suffering with PMDD might be experiencing.

Vicky listed her symptoms as: Insomnia, extreme fatigue/exhaustion, depression, lack of interest in things that usually bring me joy, poor impulse control, sensitivity, mood swings, extreme hopelessness and dark thoughts.

In her main Instagram post, which featured no less than ten photos of the star looking utterly fed up or angry, Vicky added a lengthy caption which explained her suffering over the past five years.

She wrote: "I have struggled with my periods my whole adult life- but over the last 5 years or so my PMS symptoms have been completely out of control- 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 2weeks 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."

Vicky continued: "For years I have been to see doctors & spoke at length about my concerns & in best case scenarios I was pacified- repeatedly told: 'let's take out your implant', 'periods do get worse as women get older', 'that will be your cyst' etc.. & in worst case scenarios I was made to feel like I was hysterical & unable to deal with the physical & mental ramifications of a period like every other woman could.

"I was made to feel weak. And I felt embarrassed that I was making a fuss when everyone else seemed to be ok. So I would leave & I vow to take it on the chin.

"But the last couple of months have made me realise I can't go on like this- I'm getting married to the most amazing man, I have the best family & friends & a job I love- and yet i still spend half the month lost. It's like my brain hates me – I am depressed, despondent & hopeless & have no interest in things that usually bring me so much joy.. and trying to not only deal with that but hide it all from everyone has left me exhausted & overwhelmed."

Explaining the turning point, the star wrote: "This week I decided enough was enough and went private & told myself I wouldn't be dismissed. When the doctor said to me 'it sounds like you have PMDD..' I cried. I cried because I felt f**king heard in a medical setting for the first time in years and also I cried because hopefully now I can start trying to manage this rather than just 'get on with it'- like I feel like women are expected to."

She went on to say that she was "feeling more positive" for "the first time in ages".

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