---
title: How can doctors tell PMDD apart from other mood disorders that get worse before a period?
description: PMDD can be recognized by specific timing: symptoms must appear in a monthly cycle and impairment must increase in the days before a period. Symptoms that con
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/differentiating-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-from-premenstrual-exacerbations-2001/
---

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- How can doctors tell PMDD apart from other mood disorders that get worse before a period?

Study, 2001

# How can doctors tell PMDD apart from other mood disorders that get worse before a period?

PMDD can be recognized by specific timing: symptoms must appear in a monthly cycle and impairment must increase in the days before a period. Symptoms that continue year-round or don't follow a monthly pattern indicate other conditions instead.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable (discussion of diagnostic methods, not a study of women)

## What they did

The authors discuss methods for distinguishing PMDD from premenstrual worsening of other conditions like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. They examine how PMDD is currently diagnosed and propose improved approaches.

## What they found

Key differences include the timing and pattern of symptoms. Mood changes that happen cyclically in the premenstrual days could indicate PMDD, but depression that occurs year-round does not. Similarly, binge eating that occurs cyclically would not be part of PMDD. For a PMDD diagnosis, impairment must specifically increase in the days before a period, not be present constantly.

## What it means for you

This advances thinking about how to diagnose PMDD, especially when women also have other conditions. However, clear diagnostic guidelines are still being developed, and unanswered questions remain about how to apply these principles in clinical practice.

## About the study

Original title Differentiating Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder From Premenstrual Exacerbations of Other Disorders: A Methods Dilemma Authors Shirley Ann Hartlage, Sarah J Gehlert Journal Clinical Psychology Science and Practice Year 2001 Study design Study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.8.2.242](https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.8.2.242)

## 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/)

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