Vicky Pattison has hit back at online critics who were accusing her of faking premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
The former Geordie Shore star and I’m A Celeb star has repeatedly spoken out about her experience with the hormonal condition, using both her social media pages and advocacy in Parliament to raise awareness about PMDD.
Back in August, she posted a series of photos of herself, some of which showed her looking visibly emotional.
She said in the post that she’d been struggling with a rollercoaster of emotions leading up to her marriage to businessman partner Ercan Ramadan, 30, which took place in August.
‘This most won’t make sense to a lot of people, to some it may seem dramatic, & if this doesn’t resonate with you at all, that’s ok… you can keep scrolling. Because this post is not for everyone,’ she began.
‘One in 20 women suffer with PMDD. However, the actual figure is believed to be so much higher due to women being misdiagnosed, ignored & gaslight into thinking they’re hysterical. So if you are one of that one in 20, or if for a week to 10 days of the month, that luteal phase before your period, you simply don’t recognise yourself- then this post is for you.’
She went on to explain more about the condition and how it had affected her life, drawing support from many of her followers.
However, some people began trolling Pattison for her vulnerability, causing her to post her rebuttal today.
What is PMDD?
A small number of women may experience more severe symptoms of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Symptoms of PMDD are similar to PMS, but are much more intense and can have a much greater negative impact on your everyday life.
Symptoms can include headaches and joint and muscle pain, overeating and problems sleeping, feeling very anxious, angry, depressed or suicidal.
It’s not clear what causes PMDD, but it’s been linked to being very sensitive to changes in hormones, or certain differences in the genes you inherit from your parents.
Vicky emotionally wrote: ‘I’ve debated posting this for awhile, as quite frankly it’s a little bit dark & I know everyone is probably in a Christmassy place & just wants to be thinking about mulled wine & pigs in blankets but after the reaction to the WEC’s report last week I thought I’d share & honest insight into what people suffering with PMDD go through.
‘Because if I have to read one more ignorant comment from some sad keyboard warrior saying ‘here we go, another celeb inventing a condition to stay relevant’ or ‘we all get a period every month, just get on with it’- I think I’ll scream.
‘I’m not new to this industry & I’ve had my fair share of criticism over the years. I’d like to think I’ve developed a thick skin when it comes to trolling. However what annoys me most about these pathetic comments is the message it sends.
‘That women who talk openly & honestly about their pain are fantasists, dramatic or just after attention.’
She continued, strongly condemning the people who criticised her: ‘Grow up. It’s 2024 & women have too much going on in their lives- impressive jobs, busy social calendars, children, partners, pets, passions & everything in between to have time to PRETEND to be struggling. Furthermore, from experience I know the level of pain & desperation most women have to be experiencing to speak up.
‘Because we’ve been conditioned for years to believe we just need to ‘suck it up’ and ‘get on with it. So when a woman does come forward to share her experiences- understand that it’s probably taken them a lot to get there. ALOT.
‘And the last thing they need when they’re already feeling vulnerable & fragile is some uneducated mouth piece minimising their pain.
‘These comments speak volumes about people’s attitudes towards female reproductive health and women’s pain in general. And I’m over this outdated and misogynistic rhetoric.
‘PMDD, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS and everything in between are heartbreaking & debilitating conditions that are driving women to despair and early & often unnecessary hysterectomies- if you can’t give these women the empathy and compassion they deserve I really suggest you say nothing. Or educate yourself. Because your misogyny is showing hun.’
Vicky and her new husband, who got engaged in 2022, followed in the footsteps of Noel Gallagher and Sir Paul McCartney and got married at the Marylebone Town Hall earlier this year.
The couple began dating in 2019 after being introduced by a mutual friend and Ercan proposed three years later with a stunning £200,000 engagement ring, which was recently stolen.
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