---
title: Does acceptance and commitment therapy help people with anxiety and PMDD?
description: One woman showed meaningful improvement in anxiety and psychological flexibility after 37 therapy sessions, and no longer met criteria for PMDD, though some p
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-act-for-comorbid-generalized-anxiety-disorder-2026/
---

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- Does acceptance and commitment therapy help people with anxiety and PMDD?

Interview study, 2026

# Does acceptance and commitment therapy help people with anxiety and PMDD?

One woman showed meaningful improvement in anxiety and psychological flexibility after 37 therapy sessions, and no longer met criteria for PMDD, though some period-related symptoms remained. This is just one person's experience.

 Early or limited evidence

One 26-year-old woman with anxiety disorder and PMDD

## What they did

Case study of one 26-year-old woman who received 37 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy at a community clinic. The therapist tracked progress using standardized measures and the woman's own reports.

## What they found

The woman improved in anxiety, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, and valued living. Though some of her premenstrual symptoms persisted, she no longer met criteria for PMDD at the end of treatment.

## What it means for you

Acceptance and commitment therapy may help people with both anxiety and mood changes related to their cycle. This is one case study, so we cannot be sure the therapy would work for other people. More research with larger groups is needed.

37

therapy sessions

26

participant's age

## About the study

Original title Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Transdiagnostic Approach Authors Leah R. Howard, Mitch Earleywine, Te’Airra DeCount et al. Journal Clinical Case Studies Year 2026 Study design Interview study What was tested Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (37 sessions) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/15346501261421541](https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501261421541)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Mindfulness and meditation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-mindfulness/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Cohort study, 2020

Are women with PMDD more likely to have generalized anxiety disorder?

Cohort study, 2012

How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms?

Review, 1999

Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder?

Case-control study, 2025

Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be?

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