OP here. I appreciate all of your helpful responses. I was thinking I should get back into a workout routine, and perhaps I should cut back on caffeine as well. I am overdue with all of my doctor appointments but will make sure to bring up the PMS with my OB.

On another note, I feel like I have always been slightly angry/hateful. I am jealous of genuinely nice people. People who do things selfishly. Is it possible to change one's personality?

Every time you feel angry about something write it down. Keep a running list for a few days then look back over. Reading back you'll see what was petty or "small" and can be let go. Anything serious is there in black and white and can be addressed. Anything that is repeatedly making your angry you can tackle first and reexamine. What is your role in that situation, what is in your control? Etc.

Cut out caffeine for a week and take Benadryl before going to bed for a week. That reduces my anger dramatically.

If PMS is an issue, there are several studies that show getting 1200 mg calcium daily actually helps minimize PMS symptoms including mood. Might be worth discussing with your doctor.

Vigorous exercise really helps me. Can you find that me to start a routine that u like?

I got celexa from my OB. My PMS has been expanding with age from the week before my period to all-but-5-minutes after my period. Finally I gave an antidepressant a try and it's made a HUGE difference. I used to start my day at about a 5 on a 10 point rage scale and snapped at the kids a ton. I'm so much calmer and happier now.

OP here. I actually have gone to therapy. I've also been to two psychiatrists (at different points over the past two years) for PPD. Both said I didn't need medication. They said I needed sleep.

Sleep DOES affect my mood. So does PMS. But my kids are sleeping now (I had two terrible infants). I'm still angry though.

I have been text-book depressed before. I felt hopeless and didn't enjoy anything. I went to therapy. It helped.

There are things that I really DO enjoy now, things I am passionate about, things that make me happy when I do them, things that I look forward to. So, can a depressed person still find joy in things they are passionate about? I always assumed the answer was no, but am I wrong? Am I depressed? Please forgive my ignorance.

(and I know random people cannot diagnose me. I do think I need to start therapy again, and maybe with a new therapist)

Anonymous wrote:Anger actually is a symptom of depression in a lot of people. I'd talk to a therapist and an anti depressant may really help.

So true. I was furious at everyone, including myself, before taking anti depressants. Meditation also helps, but not as much as the meds. GL.

I'm also when of those angry when depressed people. I wish someone had told me to get my ass into therapy before it blew up my marriage. Now, I'm not depressed, not angry, but I am divorced.

Anti-depressant + ativan

I'm usually snarky when the first DCUM reaction to anything is "Therapy!" But in your case I think it's the right answer. A good therapist can help you understand what's triggering your anger and process it, as well as teaching you techniques for how to deal with the angry response when it happens.

Rage was the biggest symptom of PPD for me - so yeah, depression.

Anger actually is a symptom of depression in a lot of people. I'd talk to a therapist and an anti depressant may really help.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way. It is brave of you to recognize this anger and want to change. I think you need to be heard by someone who won't be defensive or quick to judge. Try going to a professional therapist, at least a few times. Give it a try. Cognitive Behavioral therapy teaches you how to think/react in a more healthy, constructive way.

Meditation or prayer can also help you to accept and process. Good luck

I'm not quite sure which forum to post this. Since it affects my relationship with my husband more than anything, I thought this might be the most appropriate. I apologize in advance if it isn't.

I originally titled this post, "How to be happy." But, that's not quite what is bothering me. I'm not happy because I am angry all the time. I'm angry that my husband doesn't help out as much as he should with the kids. I'm angry that my kids are constantly whining, crying, fighting, repeat. I'm angry that I can't talk about stupid shit that bothers me to my husband because he doesn't care/dismisses what is bothering me. I'm angry that a friend doesn't reply to emails - or asks me to do something and when I do she doesn't do her part. I'm angry that my family hasn't been around to help me with my small kids (they live close). I'm angry that I go to a good job, get paid well, but find it soul crushing yet am too risk averse to do try something different that I might actually like doing. I am angry that I don't have the time to dedicate to doing what I love doing. I'm angry that I grew up watching my disfunctional parents and my mom was a yeller and now I am a yeller. I'm angry at single people that want kids but have no idea how fucking hard they are and how easy their lives are at the moment. I am just fucking angry and I hate being angry. How do I let things go? How do I just be happy with what I have?