Study, 2015
Should premenstrual dysphoric disorder be classified as a mental illness?
A bioethicist argues PMDD should not be classified as a psychiatric disorder because doing so pathologizes normal anger and distress. This is a philosophical perspective, not based on a research study.
What they did
A bioethicist examined arguments about whether PMDD should be included in diagnostic manuals (DSM-5 and ICD-11). The author considered evidence about biology, culture, medication effects, and social factors related to premenstrual symptoms.
What they found
The author argues that: (1) calling normal premenstrual anger and distress a mental illness can be harmful; (2) PMDD appears more common in some cultures than others, not universal; (3) biological differences or medication effects do not prove premenstrual anger is caused by a mental disorder; and (4) changing social attitudes is more ethical than labeling women as mentally ill.
What it means for you
This is a philosophical argument that calling premenstrual symptoms a disorder may harm women by medicalizing normal distress. The author acknowledges women's real suffering but argues it does not require a psychiatric diagnosis. There is legitimate debate about how to classify premenstrual symptoms.
About the study
- Original title
- Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder really a disorder?
- Authors
- Browne TK
- Journal
- Journal of bioethical inquiry
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s11673-014-9567-7
Topics
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