In Love with PMDD

The "But What About ME?" Trap in PMDD Relationships


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Have you ever shared something deeply personal with your partner, only to have them immediately respond with their own story? This hidden communication pattern—conversational narcissism—might be quietly destroying your PMDD relationship.

Conversational narcissism isn't about being a narcissist. It's a subtle communication habit where one person consistently redirects conversations back to themselves, often without realizing it. When your partner vulnerably shares they're exhausted during their luteal phase and you respond with "I'm tired too" before launching into your day, you're hijacking their moment of openness. This pattern leaves partners feeling unheard, invalidated, and eventually, completely alone in the relationship.

Both the partner with PMDD and the partner without it can fall into this damaging pattern. It manifests as competing over who's suffering more, interrupting vulnerable moments to share similar experiences, or subtly changing the subject when emotions get uncomfortable. The result? A relationship where true connection becomes impossible, and both partners feel increasingly isolated despite technically being together.

Breaking free from conversational narcissism starts with the 80/20 rule—aim to listen 80% of the time when your partner is being vulnerable. Instead of jumping to share your experience, try saying, "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now." This simple shift keeps the focus where it belongs and creates the emotional safety that PMDD relationships desperately need. Other powerful tools include repeating back what you heard before adding thoughts, asking clarifying questions, and using timers to ensure balanced conversation.

Ready to transform your communication patterns and create true connection? Let go of the pride that prevents accountability. When both partners commit to empathetic listening instead of conversation hijacking, the relationship fundamentally changes—creating space where both people feel seen, heard, and truly understood through every phase of the cycle.

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In Love with PMDDBy Dr. Rose Alkattan

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