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Survey study, 2011

Do women with severe PMS have more personality disorders?

Yes. 27% of women with severe PMS had a personality disorder compared to 0% of women without PMS. The most common was obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Early or limited evidence 33 women with severe PMS and 26 asymptomatic women

What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing 33 women with severe PMS and 26 women without PMS. All participants completed structured clinical interviews to identify mood disorders and personality disorders.

What they found

Women with severe PMS had significantly higher rates of personality disorders (27% versus 0%). In the PMS group, 6 women (18%) had obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, the most common type. Women with PMS were also more likely to have odd-eccentric, dramatic-erratic, and anxious-fearful personality traits.

What it means for you

Severe PMS may be linked to personality disorders, which adds another burden on daily functioning. However, this is a small study and can't prove whether PMS causes personality disorders or if they're separate conditions that happen together. Results need confirmation in larger studies.

27%

severe PMS group with any personality disorder

0%

asymptomatic group with any personality disorder

18%

severe PMS with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

About the study

Original title
Personality disorders in women with severe premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Sassoon SA, Colrain IM, Baker FC
Journal
Archives of women's mental health
Year
2011
Study design
Survey study
Participants
6
What was tested
No intervention; compared groups on personality disorders
Open access
Yes

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