PMDD, Trauma & The Pressure to Push Through: What 50 Podcast Episodes Have Taught Me About Women’s Silent Struggles

This blog explores PMDD, trauma, and the cultural pressure on women to mask emotional pain. Featuring insights from Anna Pearce-Roberts and Heather Hendrie on PMDD, suicidal thoughts, and the upcoming PMDD book launch.

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💔 “I was at the top of my game… and I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

That’s what I shared in the 50th episode of the Her Shift Podcast, and even now, typing that feels raw. But if I’ve learned one thing in these 50 episodes, it’s that radical honesty creates space for healing — for me, and for every woman who listens.

In this milestone episode, I sat down with the incredible Heather Hendrie, PMDD advocate and author, to unpack something that so many women live with but rarely talk about: the emotional cost of pushing through.

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PMDD: Not Just Hormonal — It’s Deeper

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is more than mood swings. It’s debilitating, often misunderstood, and — for many women — it’s the monthly reminder that their body and brain are screaming for help.

Heather and I dive into the connection between PMDD and unresolved trauma, and how masking symptoms with productivity, smiling through the pain, or pretending to be “fine” keeps us stuck in survival mode.

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The Privilege Problem: Why We Downplay Our Pain

One thing we touched on that hit hard was the toxic impact of Western privilege on women’s mental health. Many of us have internalised the belief that unless our trauma is extreme or visible, we don’t deserve help.

We say things like:

“I shouldn’t feel this bad — other people have it worse.”

This narrative is emotional gaslighting. And it keeps women in cycles of silence, shame, and isolation.

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The Darkest Point of My Career

At the height of my bridal makeup career — the one I’d worked so hard to build — I reached a breaking point. From the outside, I was thriving. Inside? I didn’t want to be alive.

We talk openly in this episode about suicidal thoughts, emotional numbness, and how terrifying it is to feel completely alone — even when your life looks “successful” on paper.

This is why I do this work now. Because women need spaces where we can say the truth out loud.

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Heather Hendrie’s Upcoming PMDD Book

Heather is currently writing a groundbreaking book on PMDD — one that blends medical insight with lived experience and emotional wisdom. The book is available now on pre-sale and will be a must-read for anyone navigating PMDD, hormonal imbalance, or trauma-related cycle issues.

🎉 🔗 Pre-order Heather’s PMDD book

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Masking, High-Functioning Trauma & The Myth of “Strong Women”

We explored what it means to perform wellness, to hold your shit together in public while falling apart in private. This isn’t strength — it’s survival.

And it’s not sustainable.

Women are expected to be resilient, productive, nurturing, and endlessly available — even in the face of breakdowns. The truth? We need to stop glorifying burnout and start honouring our pain.

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What 50 Episodes Have Taught Me

Looking back over the last 50 episodes, here’s what I now believe with my whole heart:

• PMDD is not your fault.

• Your trauma matters, no matter what form it takes.

• Masking pain might get you through, but it won’t heal you.

• Sisterhood and storytelling are survival tools.

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Listen to the Full Episode:

🎧 “PMDD, Trauma & The Pressure to Push Through” is now live on the Her Shift Podcast.

👉 [Listen on Spotify / Apple Her Shift Podcast

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If you’re silently suffering…

Please know you’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with PMDD, anxiety, CPTSD, or just feel like you’re barely holding it together — there is help, hope, and healing available. And you’re allowed to want it.

Let this episode be your permission slip to feel it all — and to stop pretending.

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Resources & Links:

• Download your FREE PMDD Survival Kit—practical support and guidance for your toughest days.

• 👉 Get Your PMDD Survival Kit Here!

✨ Download your FREE PMDD Survival Kit—practical support and guidance for your toughest days.

👉 Get Your PMDD Survival Kit Here!

📌 Follow me on Instagram @theannapr & TikTok @theannapr for daily PMDD tips and women’s wellness content

📌 Share your thoughts by leaving a review! If an episode hits home, screenshot and tag me—I want to hear your takeaways! 🎙️✨

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