---
title: Are personality traits different between women with PMDD and women with major depression?
description: Personality traits are mostly similar between PMDD and depression during the second half of the cycle. Both groups were more likely to show a trait of caution
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-comparison-of-the-tridimensional-personality-questionnaire-in-premenstrual-2007/
---

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- Are personality traits different between women with PMDD and women with major depression?

Survey study, 2007

# Are personality traits different between women with PMDD and women with major depression?

Personality traits are mostly similar between PMDD and depression during the second half of the cycle. Both groups were more likely to show a trait of caution and worry about harm than healthy women, but personality tests could not reliably distinguish PMDD from depression.

 Early or limited evidence

51 women with PMDD, 39 with depression, 52 healthy controls

## What they did

Researchers gave 51 women with PMDD, 39 women with major depression, and 52 healthy women a personality questionnaire during the late second half of their cycle (days 23-28). The questionnaire measured three traits: tendency to seek new things, tendency to be cautious about harm, and sensitivity to rewards.

## What they found

Women with PMDD and women with depression both showed higher scores on caution about harm compared to healthy women. Women with depression showed lower scores on sensitivity to rewards. The personality test results were similar between the PMDD and depression groups, so the test could not distinguish them.

## What it means for you

PMDD and major depression may share common personality traits, especially caution about harm. The main limitation is that women were tested once during the late cycle only, without comparison to other cycle phases.

51

women with PMDD

39

women with depression

52

healthy women

## About the study

Original title A comparison of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and major depressive disorder Authors Hsu SC, Liu CY, Hsiao MC Journal Comprehensive psychiatry Year 2007 Study design Survey study Participants 52 What was tested None. This compared personality traits between groups. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.02.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.02.006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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