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Case report, 2018

Can severe head injury lead to PMDD?

Yes. A 17-year-old girl developed PMDD months after a severe traumatic brain injury. She needed antipsychotic medication to manage her symptoms.

Early or limited evidence One 17-year-old girl with traumatic brain injury

What they did

Described one case of a 17-year-old girl who developed severe depression around her period months after sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury. A psychiatrist diagnosed her with PMDD.

What they found

She experienced severe depression symptoms around her menses in the months after the head injury. She needed antipsychotics to manage her symptoms. PMDD typically includes irritability, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.

What it means for you

Traumatic brain injury may trigger PMDD in girls and women. This is one case, so we cannot know how often it happens. It is important for doctors treating people after head injuries to screen for PMDD, especially because it can lead to suicidal thoughts.

17

age when head injury occurred

1

case reported

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in a Patient With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Presentation
Authors
Omura J, Osorio M
Journal
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
Year
2018
Study design
Case report
What was tested
Antipsychotic medication

Topics