From the Guidelines
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is characterized by a pattern of mood, somatic, or cognitive symptoms that occur several days before the onset of menses and improve within a few days after the onset of menses.
Key Diagnostic Features
- The symptoms must begin several days before the onset of menses
- The symptoms start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses
- The symptoms become minimal or absent within 1 week following the onset of menses
Common Symptoms
- Mood symptoms (e.g., depressed mood)
- Somatic symptoms (e.g., overeating)
- Cognitive symptoms (e.g., forgetfulness) as described in the study 1.
From the Research
Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
The diagnosis of PMDD is based on specific clinical criteria, including:
- Symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and remit within a few days of menses onset 2, 3, 4
- At least five symptoms, including one of the following: marked affective lability, marked irritability or anger, marked depressed mood, or marked anxiety 2, 4
- Symptoms that interfere with daily life and relationships 2, 4
- Symptoms that are not better explained by another mental disorder 2, 4
Diagnostic Tools and Procedures
Several diagnostic tools and procedures have been developed to aid in the diagnosis of PMDD, including:
- The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) 2
- The Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System (C-PASS) 2
- Clinical interviews and physical examinations 3, 4
- Laboratory tests to rule out other medical conditions 3, 4
Research Perspectives and Future Directions
Research on PMDD is ongoing, and future studies should focus on: