S-H-A-T-T-E-R
S-H-A-T-T-E-R is my UCLA senior thesis film that aims to break stigmas about chronic illness and disability by opening a discussion about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition that falls through the cracks between reproductive and mental health, two important topics seldom talked about in our society.
FILM LOGLINE
Faced with misunderstanding, medical gaslighting, and declining physical and mental health, a college freshman must find the strength to fight for acceptance, healing, and a diagnosis.
This film is for everyone who lives with PMDD and our loved ones that share our journey every day, every month. This film is for everyone who has been misdiagnosed, dismissed, or silenced by the medical system. This film is for medical professionals, for teachers, students, for institutes, and classrooms. This film is about personal and collective healing and advocacy.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
I was diagnosed with PMDD as a freshman at UCLA, after 5 years of crippling depression, violent mood swings, suicidal ideations, bad anxiety, hormonal migraines, muscle spasms and joint pain, nausea, fatigue every month without fail before my period throughout high school. I finally had a diagnosis and with that came hope and so much relief, but that's just the beginning.
Since then, I have realized I'm far from alone. I have found a thriving PMDD community online, and I've seen more and more stories emerge about empowerment and overcoming discrimination and misunderstanding but also stories about suffering, of being desperate, of needing help.
These stories are seldom told publicly for fear of dismissal, fear of being seen as "weak" , or fear of opening up about something so personal.
GOALS
The aim of this film is to tell an authentic and compelling story that speaks truth to PMDD, grounded in lived experiences and realities with all the textures and nuances that come with those.
I want this film to spark real conversations from the heart to create actionable change and collective empowerment. Let's work together to chip away at the glass ceiling so that a sister, partner, daughter, mother, friend down the road don't have to feel the helplessness of not being understood and wipe their painful tears alone. Let's create a film that spreads awareness and empathy about PMDD so that more people can get the support they need and receive the correct diagnosis early because #PMDDAwarenessisSucicdePrevention.
