Activist and JNU student, whose tweets are generally on politics and such like, posts an unusually personal and brave thread on Twitter on September 22, highlighting the hormonal imbalance challenges that so many women face, but are rarely vocal about. Hearteningly, almost all the feedback she has received since she tweeted are supportive and empathetic.


She writes: "Okay, so, I've decided to share a deeply personal story on Twitter, even though I know that Twitter isn't kind at all. But I'm sharing this personal story in public interest, hoping it might reach someone who needs to hear this.

"A few days ago, I started having strong suicidal thoughts. I had been feeling that way for two weeks. But that night, I actually looked up ways to end my life & enacted many of them in my head. Next day, I got my period. I looked up "PMS + suicide" and found out about PMDD.

"PMDD is not often acknowledged as an issue, because, well, it concerns women. But if you care about your sister, partner, or friend do raise awareness about PMDD. It's scary how real it can get. You start picking ways and spots to end your life. You start planning it!

"And then, of course, you have algorithms to help you die. Since I was actually contemplating suicide, I didn't care that I was logged in. And this morning @Quora sends me an email asking if I'm still contemplating suicide, and that they're here to help!

"In a world where algorithms will help you end your life if you want to end your life, it's really important to share information about PMDD - premenstrual dysphoric disorder - a severe form of PMS that can even make you suicidal. Knowing it can prevent it.

"If there are women in your friend circle or family whom you care about, don't dismiss PMDD as mood swing. Don't tell her that she's imagining it. It's hormonal. Be supportive. Don't say that "men also get stressed". Women are already supportive and considerate about men's issues.
- end of thread -
you are free to write hateful comments and abuse now. bye!"


@ankitnarayan  responds:  Hey @Shehla_Rashid I know we do hv many ideological differences but this is totally uncalled for... Plz do visit a counselor to get rid of these thoughts and b a strong lady like u were...
Stay strong..

Shehla replies: I'm still a strong lady, Ankit! Thanks. PMS and PMDD are due to hormonal changes. These are not thoughts that you can get rid of. It's about how your body reacts to hormonal changes.


And there's a reply from former J-K CM Omar Abdullah who writes:
Very brave of you to write this thread Shehla especially when this sort of honesty is exploited by some as a sign of weakness. Youve shown great strength & if it helps even one person then hats off to you @Shehla_Rashid.


@glowypanda is empathetic, writing in: Thanks for sharing- I have it too, it can be a nightmare. Prozac did help with mine, but I don't take it anymore. I've been trying red clover, dong quai & st. John's wort tea; I'm not sure if it helps, but I think there is at least some placebo effect.