Life-changing online care for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Brightside is available to people 18 years and older in the states where Brightside operates who believe they may be experiencing depression and may benefit from treatment.

Remote care is not a good fit for people with certain conditions or situations. These include (but are not limited to):

• Previous suicide attempt or active suicide planning
• Ongoing, high risk self-harm behavior
• Recent involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric reasons
• Schizophrenia or any symptoms of psychosis
• Certain severities of Bipolar Disorder and symptoms of mania
• Substance abuse problems
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Eating disorder with high-risk symptoms
• Kidney or liver disease, seizures, or long QT (for Psychiatry plan only)

Our providers do not treat, and do not prescribe for adhd.

If any of these describe you, it’s best for you to be seen by a provider in person so you can get the care that’s right for you.

Brightside makes it easy to get top quality depression care from the privacy of home.

Here’s how Psychiatry works:

1. Take the assessment: Answer questions about yourself to provide the information your provider will need to thoroughly evaluate your situation.
2. Connect with a psychiatric provider: Get matched with an expert psychiatric provider for a comprehensive video consultation. Share how you’re feeling, then decide on the best next steps — together. These conversations normally last about 15 minutes to review your situation, discuss your care plan, and answer any questions you may have. 
3. Follow your care plan: If the provider chooses to prescribe, your medication will be sent to your local pharmacy. Your plan also includes digital therapy, and self-care tools you can use at your own pace.
4. Make progress: We’ll ask you to tell us about your symptoms and side effects weekly, allowing the provider to monitor your progress and make any necessary changes to your care plan, so you can get the best results.

Here’s how Therapy works:

1. Take the assessment: Tell us what you’re experiencing, and we’ll help you understand what it means.
2. Connect with a Therapist: Connect with an expert, licensed therapist by messaging and with access to one 45-minute video appointment included with your subscription each week. You will continue to have Unlimited messaging support and guidance to help you build skills and feel better.
   
3. Complete sessions: Complete personalized, self-paced audio lessons and practice exercises, building the evidence-based skills and habits you need to overcome your depression and anxiety.
4. Make Progress: Report back on what’s working well for you and where you want to go deeper with the option to purchase additional video sessions if you choose. Your therapist will help guide you through your personalized program so you see the best results.

When scheduling your first appointment, you can browse all of our available providers in your state. Take a look at their profiles and check open times to find the best fit for you. Every Brightside provider undergoes a rigorous hiring and vetting process to ensure the highest quality care.

Brightside currently accepts select insurance plans in various states for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Please see below for a current listing of plans. Brightside may not be included in all plans that each health insurance company offers. Please contact your health insurance plan to verify that your care at Brightside will be covered.

We currently accept the following insurance plans:

• Cigna (all states, except MN)
• Aetna (nationwide)
• Allegience (nationwide)
• Anthem (CA only)
• United Health (select states)

If you are a new member signing up for services you can enter your insurance information during the sign-up process. We’ll let you know your eligibility, as well as you estimated co-pays and out-of-pocket costs (if any) before signing-up or scheduling.

We also accept HSA/FSA payment if you have one of those accounts. If you have questions about using your medical or prescription insurance benefits, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

To diagnose PMDD, your mental health provider will ask you some questions about your symptoms. They’ll also learn about your family and medical history. People with PMDD typically have symptoms in the weeks leading up to their period, and the symptoms resolve within the first few days of menstruation. Because of this pattern, your provider may ask you to keep a tracker or diary of your symptoms before diagnosis.

At Brightside Health, your mental health provider will provide a comprehensive evaluation before diagnosis. If you already have a diagnosis, that’s fine too. Your provider will listen to your concerns and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs so you can start feeling better.

While there is no known cause, research suggests that changes in hormonal and serotonin levels may have a role in the development of PMDD. Both hormone levels and serotonin levels change throughout the menstrual cycle—which is believed to trigger symptoms in some people. Many women with PMDD also have underlying anxiety and depression.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, or have been diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, it’s a good idea to talk to a licensed mental health professional about treatment options.

PMDD symptoms can be serious if left untreated. If you are in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 911 for emergency services. Know that you’re not alone. With the right treatment, you can live your life with relief from symptoms.

If you’re experiencing PMDD, mental health care can help you start feeling like yourself again. Medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes are effective treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Typically, a combination of all three is most effective.

Medication
Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective at treating symptoms of PMDD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications to treat PMDD:

• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Paroxetine HCI (Paxil)

With Brightside Health, you can get medication delivered to your door monthly. Your psychiatric provider can find the right medication to treat your unique PMDD symptoms by using our PrecisionRx tool to analyze 100 data points and over 1,000 different medication combinations. Within 12 weeks, 86% of Brightside members feel better and 70% achieve remission of their symptoms altogether.

Like treatment for PMS, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and birth control can also help relieve symptoms.

Therapy
In order to be diagnosed with PMDD, you must be experiencing either a depressed mood, anxiety, emotional ups-and-downs, or irritability during your premenstrual phase. In fact, 64% of women with major depressive disorder report that their symptoms of depression worsen in the days leading up to their menstruation. Talking to a licensed therapist one-on-one can help you learn about how your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions interact so you can start feeling better.

At Brightside Health, therapy includes virtual sessions with your expert therapist, unlimited messaging, video lessons, and skill practice with reflection. Together, you and your therapist can work on effective coping strategies to help you get back to being you.

Lifestyle changes
Making a few lifestyle changes can help reduce your PMDD symptoms. By limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake; eating less salty, fatty, or sugary foods; and exercising regularly, you can improve your mood and start feeling better.

Practicing mindfulness, breathing techniques, and meditation can also help you manage stress and improve your mental health.