BOSTON, MA -- British television soap opera ‘Emmerdale’ features Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in a trailblazing new character arc. In episodes aired in early 2023, a teen character on the long-running soap, Cathy Hope, started experiencing mental health symptoms thought to be linked to her periods. Fans speculated her mood swings were due to heavy periods, depression, and even pregnancy, but in fact it was revealed on 20th March to be Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

PMDD is a mental health condition linked to the menstrual cycle that can cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, rage, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts. Symptoms can develop at puberty, so Cathy’s experience as a teen with PMDD is not uncommon.

While PMDD affects approximately 5.5% of women/AFAB individuals (1 in 20 - that’s almost a million in the UK alone!), awareness is still low. Few TV shows, movies, or books have featured a character with the diagnosis, often portraying PMS in much less severe and often comical representations. Emmerdale creators took a risk to take on PMDD and worked closely with UK advocates at IAPMD to bring the storyline to life with respect and accuracy.

Back in January, Emmerdale producer Jane Hudson teased at a "challenging" storyline that has never been done before in soaps for youngster Cathy Hope: "So you’ll see a really big story for Cathy, Bob’s daughter, it’s her first big story really, and it’s a challenging one, and I think it’s one that a lot of parents will connect with. It’s one I haven’t seen a soap do before."

UK based patient advocates at the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) worked closely with ‘Emmerdale’ executives to develop Cathy’s PMDD storyline: “We are so excited to see this opportunity to bring PMDD into the mainstream. PMDD can be so disruptive and life-altering, yet many of us go years without even knowing that what we’re experiencing is a diagnosis with support and treatment available.” 

In upcoming episodes, the show will see Cathy overhear her father, Bob, discussing her diagnosis and the longterm effects it can have - this is overwhelming for Cathy. In fear and anguish, she disappears, leaving her family concerned. This storyline is set to continue. 

Director of Education & Awareness at IAPMD, Laura Murphy, stated:  “The average time for accurate diagnosis of PMDD in the UK is 12 years. We hope that through Cathy’s storyline and PMDD being shown on mainstream TV, viewers might find answers to their suffering a lot earlier and skip the ‘lost years’ many of us have experienced. Help and support is available and no-one has to go through this alone.”

For comment, contact Sandi MacDonald, IAPMD Co-founder & Executive Director at media@iapmd.org. We have patients, researchers, and family members of patients available and eager to share their experience and expertise.