VICKY Pattison has sparked concern after confessing she feels "depressed and hopeless" ahead of her wedding.
The former Geordie Shore star, 36, is set to tie the knot with fiance Ercan Ramadan this weekend in a lavish ceremony.
But Vicky took to Instagram today to share an honest post about her feelings ahead of the nuptials.
She told fans she suffers with premenstrual dysphoric disorder [PDD]. According to the , PDD is more severe symptoms of premenstrual disorder [PMS].
In a lengthy caption, Vicky told fans: "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.
"Believe me, in the week before my wedding I didn't want to be this person... you imagine being excited & happy, having little dickie birds pop your dress on for you...
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"Instead I've been depressed, anxious & self critical filled with feminine rage, hopelessness & exhaustion. That's what PMDD does."
But Vicky insisted she wasn't going to let the condition ruin her special day, continuing: "As powerful as those emotions and hormones can be... I'm adamant they aren't going to take this moment from me.
"I might be slight more prickly of a bride than I was intending.. think less Cinderella and more Ursula the sea witch.. but so what?!"
Fans rushed to send their support to Vicky, with one writing: "So much love to you Vicky. It’s so hard when we feel so out of control of it."
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Another said: "I really hope you can find some moments of joy and excitement for your wedding and that you get the relief we all crave for soon."
And a third added: "I am sorry to see you struggling at anytime but more so this week but I know you have got this lovely."
Vicky and ex-Towie star Ercan will first say 'I do' at The Old Marylebone Town Hall, where the likes of Noel Gallagher and Nicole Appleton previously got married.
The venue also played host to Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell for their nuptials in 2011.
The reports the newlyweds will then fly to Puglia for another ceremony which will be filmed for Vicky's brand new Channel 4 show, Destination Wedding.
What is PMDD?
PREMENSTRUAL dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It affects around three to eight per cent of women.
PMDD causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month, usually during the week or two before your period.
Experiencing PMDD can make it difficult to work, socialise and have healthy relationships. In some cases, it can lead to suicidal thoughts.
The most common emotional symptoms are:
- Mood swings
- Feeling upset or tearful
- A lack of energy
- Less interest in activities you normally enjoy
- Feeling hopeless
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling angry or irritable
- Anxiety
- Feeling tense or on edge
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Difficulty concentrating
Physical and behavioural signs include:
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Muscle or joint pain
- Headaches
- Feeling bloated
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep problems
- Increased anger or conflict
- Becoming very upset if you feel others are rejecting you
It is not understood exactly what causes PMDD, but scientists believe it could be a combination of genetics, smoking, trauma, and stress.
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