Cathy Hope’s devastating diagnosis revealed in Emmerdale
BOB Hope is growing increasingly concerned for his daughter Cathy after her behaviour has become erratic.
Next week in Emmerdale, the teen gets a devastating diagnosis - how will she cope?
ITV viewers have realised that Cathy's major never-before-seen storyline goes beyond her heavy periods, for which she was prescribed the pill.
In recent scenes of the Yorkshire-based drama, the young girl portrayed by Gabrielle Dowling has lashed out against her father Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and brother.
More recently, Cathy has put herself in danger, prompting her nearest and dearest to realise there's something going on.
Coming up next week, Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) and Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) do their best to support Bob after Cathy was taken to hospital following her manic episode.
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Wendy and village GP Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) then make a breakthrough in diagnosing the cause of Cathy's symptoms but the implications leave them deeply concerned.
Manpreet then advises Bob that Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder could be the cause of Cathy's suffering.
Unbeknownst to them, Cathy is listening to their conversation and is stunned to hear it could affect her for decades.
However, Bob decides not to tell Cathy anything about the diagnosis until it can be confirmed.
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When Cathy tells him she's already heard everything, Bob tries to reassure her by telling her they'll get through it but she's not ready to hear him.
Bob remains determined to help his daughter through thick and thin but will it be enough?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is sometimes referred to as "severe PMS" and is a mental health condition listed as a "depressive disorder" in the DSM-5.
It causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week before a period.
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Symptoms of this condition include anger or irritability, depression and suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and low energy and headaches, among many others.
As mentioned above, Cathy previously sought help by getting the contraceptive pill for her heavy periods.
Although hormonal birth control can treat PMDD, professionals recommend pairing it with antidepressants, dietary changes or even stress management tools according to the .
How will Cathy cope with her diagnosis?
Emmerdale airs from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.
