Turning Personal Crisis Into Advocacy: Jacqui Tillwick’s Journey with PMDD and Medical Autonomy | The Making of Me

What happens when you spend years searching for answers—only to be dismissed by the very system meant to help you?In this powerful episode of The Making of Me, Jacqui Tillwick — founder of Totally Hysterical, oncology social worker, and PMDD advocate — shares her deeply personal journey living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). After years of medical gaslighting, misdiagnosis, and emotional struggle, she made the life-changing decision to undergo a radical hysterectomy and reclaim control of her health and identity.From that experience, she transformed her pain into purpose by creating Totally Hysterical, a platform dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for women navigating PMDD and hormonal health challenges.🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:What PMDD is and how it impacts mental and physical healthThe reality of medical gaslighting in women’s healthcareJacqui’s journey toward medical autonomy and healingHow personal crisis can become a mission for advocacyThe emotional and physical impact of radical treatment decisionsWhy awareness and education around PMDD are criticalThis conversation is a powerful reminder that your lived experience is valid—and sometimes, becoming your own advocate is the first step toward healing.When systems fail to listen, speaking up becomes an act of survival.🔗 Learn more & connect with Jacqui Tillwick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-tillwick-9b6b583b7/🔗 Totally Hysterical: https://brand.site/TotallyHysterical👍 Like this video if you believe women’s health deserves to be heard and understood🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode💬 Comment below — what do you think needs to change in women’s healthcare?#TheMakingOfMe #JacquiTillwick #PMDD #WomensHealth #MedicalAdvocacy #MentalHealthAwareness #HormonalHealth #PatientAdvocacy #ReproductiveHealth #TraumaHealing #HealthEquity #SelfAdvocacy #InvisibleIllness #HealingJourney #MakingOfMePodcast