PMS and PMDD are mood disorders related to hormone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle. But PMDD is a more than severe form. In some women, PMS and PMDD crusade depression and feet.

While it tin exist difficult to distinguish between PMS and PMDD, PMS is less likely to interfere with everyday functioning.

While it is normal for women to experience fluctuation in mood in the days leading upward to menstruation, the psychological symptoms of severe depression, feet, and suicidal thoughts do not occur with PMS.

Who Is This PMDD Quiz For?

Below is a listing of questions that relate to life experiences common amidst women diagnosed with PMDD — a cyclic, hormone-based mood disorder, unremarkably considered a severe and disabling form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Please read each question carefully and point whether you have experienced these thoughts or symptoms in the week leading upwardly to your menstruation for most of your menstrual cycles in the by year.

You lot should only answer yes to a question if the symptom is present in the week earlier your period, starts to improve within a few days later on the onset, and becomes minimal or absent in the weeks following.

Is This PMDD Quiz Accurate?

This quiz is NOT a diagnostic tool. Mental health disorders can only be diagnosed by a licensed mental wellness provider or doctor. But Psycom believes assessments can be a valuable starting time step toward getting treatment.

PMDD can affect relationships so it'southward of import to speak to your medico. Effective treatments exist and tin can significantly improve your quality of life.

Your privacy is of import to us. All results are completely anonymous.

If y'all or a loved one is struggling with depression or whatever other mental wellness condition, Psycom strongly recommends that you seek help from a mental health professional for diagnosis, treatment, and support.  If you are in crisis, hither'southward a list of resource for boosted help. Some on the listing offering free or depression-toll support.​

Before the onset of your period, do y'all feel a fluctuating mood, notable feelings of sadness or hopelessness, irritability, and anger, and/or go extremely anxious?

In the calendar week before your period, exercise y'all discover that y'all lack involvement in activities you usually enjoy, such as going out with friends, your hobbies, or your job?

Prior to menstruation, do you notice it more difficult to concentrate or focus on tasks?

Practice you feel lethargic or get tired more easily in the week leading up to your menstruum in comparison to the rest of your cycle?

When you are due on your catamenia, are you more likely to indulge in overeating or crave sure foods?

Many women with PMDD written report experiencing hypersomnia or insomnia before catamenia. Do y'all find yourself to be either excessively sleepy or unable to sleep during this time?

Before your period begins, exercise you lot feel overwhelmed or out of control?

In the calendar week prior to menses, exercise you lot experience physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, bloating, or weight gain?

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PMDD FAQs

What are the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?

At that place are many different symptoms of this health condition, a circadian, hormone-based mood disorder. "A woman will have breast tenderness, fatigue, bloating, headaches, and mood swings," says Maureen Whelihan, Medico, a gynecologist in Palm Embankment County, Florida.

Women with PMDD may also experience lasting irritability or acrimony that can touch other people, feelings of despair and sadness, and even thoughts of suicide, and feeling out of command. Physical symptoms can include cramps and joint or muscle pain. You lot may feel tired or low-energy, and have trouble sleeping. Food cravings and binge eating, panic attacks, and a lack of interest in daily activities and relationships also can occur with PMDD.i

What does premenstrual dysphoric disorder feel like?

If you have e'er experienced premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it is kind of similar having PMS symptoms — yous may experience irritability, feet, angry outbursts, headaches, bloating, and weight proceeds. Some women feel changes in appetite and intestinal hurting. PMDD is like this, only much more intense.2 PMDD is basically a severe form of PMS that affects just a small percentage of women. Some women with PMDD tin can exist finer treated with medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines also are used to treat depression.ii

What causes premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

It is non articulate what causes PMDD, though it is believed that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle play a role. Serotonin, a encephalon chemical, also may play a role in this wellness condition. Serotonin levels change during a adult female'due south menstrual bike, and some women may only be more than sensitive to these changes.i Generally, the progesterone your body makes causes a slowing downwards of the gut, and this contributes to certain symptoms of PMDD, Dr. Maureen Whelihan says: "The drop in hormones may contribute to the mood swings, which can range from anger to tearfulness to both," she explains. "This 'cycling' of the hormones may play a role but the exact crusade is unknown."

What is the difference betwixt PMS and PMDD?

PMDD is similar to PMS, merely it is more serious. You must take at least five of the symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-v) to be diagnosed with PMDD. 1 of these symptoms must be a mood symptom.

You lot may need medicine or some other treatment to help with your symptoms when you have PMDD. The symptoms of PMDD start a calendar week or more before your period, and they don't become abroad until two or 3 days afterward your catamenia.1 While as many as 85% of women experience PMS, only about 5% of women are diagnosed with PMDD, according to i study.iii

Who can diagnose me with PMDD?

"PMDD is oftentimes cocky-recognized by the patient but tin be validated by her OB/GYN, principal care doctor, or a psychiatrist," Dr. Maureen Whelihan says. "Most women experience more comfy (and more than 'normal') discussing it with their OB/GYN."

Your doctor will speak with you near your health history and practice a physical examination. You will be told to keep a agenda of your symptoms, which will assistance your medico diagnose PMDD. Additionally, you lot must have five or more symptoms of PMDD, including one mood-related symptom, in club to be diagnosed with PMDD.1

How long should women monitor symptoms to ostend a PMDD diagnosis?

"It more often than not becomes credible over a couple of months," Dr. Maureen Whelihan says. "But the diagnosis in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Transmission of Mental Disorders, Volume 5) requires that information technology be present for six months to differentiate information technology from PMS, which is less severe."

PMDD is different from depression, though, Dr. Whelihan explains: "With PMDD you must have at least ane proficient week a month, and this does not occur with depression. Also, PMDD responds quickly to an SSRI, but depression can take iv to six weeks to respond."

Commodity Sources

  1. Cleveland Clinic.Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD). Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9132-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd. Final reviewed Nov 23, 2020. Accessed Jan 6, 2022.
  2. Function on Women's Health. U.South. Section of Health and Human Services.Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Available at https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-wheel/premenstrual-syndrome/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd.Accessed January six, 2022.
  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Premenstrual Syndrome. Available at https://www.acog.org/womens-health/~/link.aspx?_id=3CD192FFAF134EA38F45CBBB400BD95A&_z=z Accessed January 6, 2022.
  4. American Journal of Psychiatry. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Evidence for a new category for DSM. May 2012. Available at https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11081302 Accessed January vi, 2022.

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2022

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