---
title: Is premenstrual depression a sign of psychiatric illness? | Niyora
description: No. Premenstrual depression marks more severe PMS and is linked to anxiety symptoms, but PMS itself is not evidence of a psychiatric disorder.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mood-changes-and-premenstrual-syndrome-1991/
---

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- Is premenstrual depression a sign of psychiatric illness?

Survey study, 1991

# Is premenstrual depression a sign of psychiatric illness?

No. Premenstrual depression marks more severe PMS and is linked to anxiety symptoms, but PMS itself is not evidence of a psychiatric disorder.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS (sample size not specified in abstract)

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of women with PMS. They were divided into groups based on whether they reported depressive feelings. Participants were assessed using the Premenstrual Assessment Form and Daily Ratings Form.

## What they found

Premenstrual depression was identified as a marker of PMS severity. It was closely linked to anxiety symptoms. Women with PMS did not show important psychopathological aspects in other areas.

## What it means for you

While mood changes are part of PMS and premenstrual depression signals worse overall symptoms, PMS is not itself a psychiatric illness. The main limitation is that the abstract does not specify how many women were studied or provide specific numbers, making it difficult to assess the strength of findings.

## About the study

Original title [Mood changes and premenstrual syndrome] Authors Tanini N, Giardinelli L, Donati D et al. Journal Minerva psichiatrica Year 1991 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1808432/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1808432/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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