---
title: How are anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders linked to PMDD?
description: PMDD appears linked to anxiety disorders. Women with PMDD often have anxiety histories, and treatments that work for anxiety also help PMDD, though this is a
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/anxiety-symptoms-and-anxiety-disorders-how-are-they-related-to-premenstrual-1997/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How are anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders linked to PMDD?

Survey study, 1997

# How are anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders linked to PMDD?

PMDD appears linked to anxiety disorders. Women with PMDD often have anxiety histories, and treatments that work for anxiety also help PMDD, though this is a review of existing research rather than new original findings.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of research on menstruating women with PMDD (approximately 3% have PMDD)

## What they did

A review of published research on the relationship between anxiety disorders and PMDD, including studies using panic challenge tests and treatment studies.

## What they found

PMDD affects about 3% of menstruating women. While depression and mood swings are most common symptoms, many report anxiety and tension. Women with PMDD often have lifetime psychiatric illness, especially anxiety disorders. Challenge tests that provoke panic in panic disorder patients also trigger panic attacks in women with PMDD. Treatments effective for anxiety disorders are also useful for PMDD.

## What it means for you

PMDD and anxiety may share underlying causes, but this is a summary of existing studies rather than new research. The quality of the reviewed papers varies.

3%

of menstruating women have PMDD

## About the study

Original title Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders: how are they related to premenstrual disorders? Authors Yonkers KA Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 1997 Study design Survey study What was tested None (literature review) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9133494/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9133494/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[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

Survey study, 2001

How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions?

Study, 2026

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

Review, 2001

What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD?

Review, 1990

Is buspirone an effective treatment for anxiety?

Cohort study, 2012

How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2004

Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗