Survey study, 1995
What's different about women who seek treatment for premenstrual mood changes?
Women seeking treatment reported significantly more depression, anxiety, and unwanted negative thoughts than those not seeking treatment. Both groups had similar physical symptoms. The commonly used 30% improvement rule did not distinguish the two groups well.
What they did
Researchers compared 52 women seeking treatment for premenstrual symptoms with 32 women not seeking treatment. Both groups completed mood questionnaires during the second half and first half of their cycle, and daily mood ratings for two cycles.
What they found
Women seeking treatment reported more depression, anxiety, and unwanted negative thoughts compared to non-treatment-seekers. The groups were similar on physical symptoms and mood behaviors reported in general questionnaires. Using a 30% improvement rule did not distinguish the groups effectively.
What it means for you
Women who seek treatment experience more emotional symptoms, not just physical symptoms. The main limitation is that the study only included women already concerned enough to seek help, not a random community sample.
52
women seeking treatment
32
women not seeking treatment
30%
improvement criterion
About the study
- Original title
- Correlates of premenstrual dysphoria in help-seeking women
- Authors
- Christensen AP, Oei TP
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 52
- What was tested
- None. This compared treatment-seeking versus non-seeking groups.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(94)00072-h
Topics
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