A proposed disorder (listed in dsm-iv-tr appendix b, “criteria sets and axes provided for further study”) characterized by rapidly changing feelings or persistent and marked anger, anxiety, or tension; depressed mood with feelings of hopelessness or self-deprecating thoughts; and many other symptoms, such as lethargy, difficulty in concentrating, overeating or food cravings, insomnia or hypersomnia, breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, weight gain, increased sensitivity to rejection and avoidance of social activities, or increased interpersonal conflicts. The syndrome occurs in as many as 5% of menstruating women, with symptoms concentrated in the week before and a few days after the onset of menses.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a transient mood disorder (Man, MacMillan, Scott, &Young, 1999) and is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Previously known as late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, it is currently listed as PMDD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), in an appendix of diagnoses needing further study. According to Muzina and Gonsalves (1998), diagnostic criteria for PMDD include the presence of symptoms during most of the menstrual cycles in the past year, and five or more symptoms must be present during the last week of the luteal phase. The symptoms must begin to lessen and go away a few days after the onset of menses and be absent a week after menses is discontinued. The symptoms must interfere noticeably with activities such as school, work, social events, and relationships. To be diagnosed with PMDD, the symptoms cannot be an exacerbation of symptoms of another disorder, such as major depressive disorder. A diagnosis of PMS, in contrast with PMDD, does not require the symptom severity to cause a significant level of functional impairment.
Depressive disorder associated with the period immediately prior to the onset of the menstrual cycle, including symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (breast, joint, and muscle pains) with depression, anxiety, tearfulness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep and eating disturbances.
A disorder characterized by symptoms such as markedly depressed mood, anxiety, affective lability, and decreased interest in activities. It is the current term, according to DSM-IV, for what was previously known as premenstrual tension syndrome, now PMDD. Although the term premenstrual syndrome also is commonly used, it is not the technical term for this disorder, but may be used to identify a milder and less debilitating form of the disorder.