Symptoms of PMDD must be present the week prior the the onset of menses, start to dissipate two to three days into menses, and resolve in the week post menses. These symptoms include:
- Marked affective lability (ex: mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity )
- Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts
- Depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-deprecating thoughts
- Anxiety, tension, and/or feelings of being on edge
- Decreased interest in usual activities
- Difficulty in concentration
- Lethargy, easy fatigability, or lack of energy
- Change in appetite; overeating or specific food cravings
- Hypersomnia or insomnia
- A sense of being overwhelmed or out of control
- Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling; joint or muscle pain, a sensation of “bloating” or weight gain
Note: At least five of these symptoms must be present

PMDD Symptoms

References for PMDD Topics

In the 1950s doctors started noticing that women would complain with a number of symptoms prior to menses. These symptoms eventually were added to the DSM 3 as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. This addition was met with many controversies and finally removed with the DSM 3-R. This phenomenon or symptoms before menses hadn't left the medical community and PMS was eventually rebranded as PMDD. However, it was only accepted as a legitimate disorder once Prozac or Sarafem was approved by the FDA to treat it.

PMDD History

When PMDD was added to the DSM it was met with a lot of controversies. This included the pathologizing and medicalization of women's moods and criticisms of the mental health system as a whole.

PMDD Controversy 

There is no one treatment for PMDD for all women that experience it. This is due to the wide range of things that may cause it. 

Treating PMDD and PMS

In order to get formally diagnosed with PMDD, a psychiatrist or obstetrician-gynecologist will ask the patient to track and rate their symptoms everyday for two to three months. 

Getting a PMDD Diagnosis

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD is categorized as a mood disorder. It is marked by a slew of symptoms that occur the week prior to the start of menses. Its existence as a disorder and its inclusion in the DSM is highly controversial. 

New York University

Many mental illnesses (including cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic illnesses) can trigger symptoms of depression.

Mood disorder related to another health condition 

The DSM-5-TR separates Depressive Disorders into the following specific disorders: 
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Substance / Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
- Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
- Other Specified Depressive Disorder
- Unspecified Depressive Disorder
- Unspecified Mood Disorder
- Specifiers for Depressive Disorders


[DSM-5-TR] List of Depressive Disorders 

Chrisler, J. C., & Gorman, J. A. (2015). The medicalization of women’s moods: Premenstrual syndrome of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In The Wrong Prescription for Women. M. McHugh and J. Chrisler, Eds. New York: Praeger

The medicalization of women’s moods: Premenstrual syndrome of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Table 1, diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD ... (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279045/table/premenstrual-syndrom.table1diag/ 

Diagnostic Criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder is primarily characterized by chronic, severe, and persistent irritability that manifests in temper outbursts and/or persistent irritable and angry moods amongst children and adolescents. These symptoms are present in a non-episodic format and are consistently present in the individual as opposed to going through episodic bouts of anger and irritability. 

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Major depressive disorder is a type of depressive disorder characterized by distinct episodes involving deep sadness and a loss of interest or enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities, among other related symptoms.

Major Depressive Disorder

A disorder that occurs when a specific substance causes depressed mood or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities due to its physiological effects. 

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder

Complications from pre-existing conditions like chronic illness can lead to the development of a Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition, which is a prominent and persistent period of low mood and interest. 

Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a depressive disorder identified by a long-term, chronic state of sadness.

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