---
title: Should PMDD be a separate psychiatric diagnosis? | Niyora
description: This was debated during development of the DSM-III-R. Some experts felt PMDD was a real but rare condition, while feminist groups worried that listing it as a
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-ethical-and-legal-implications-in-a-biomedical-perspective-1987/
---

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- Should PMDD be a separate psychiatric diagnosis?

Review, 1987

# Should PMDD be a separate psychiatric diagnosis?

This was debated during development of the DSM-III-R. Some experts felt PMDD was a real but rare condition, while feminist groups worried that listing it as a psychiatric disorder would inappropriately label women as mentally ill.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMDD and participants in the diagnostic debate.

## What they did

Review of the controversy that occurred during revision of the DSM-III-R regarding whether to include Premenstrual Phase Dysphoric Disorder as a separate psychiatric diagnosis.

## What they found

Some scientists studying PMS felt it was a real disorder occurring relatively rarely. Significant disagreement existed about whether a psychiatric diagnosis would inappropriately label women as mentally ill or provide needed recognition.

## What it means for you

Experts disagreed about whether recognizing PMDD as a psychiatric disorder would help women or stigmatize them. This is a review of a policy debate, not research evidence about PMS itself.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome : ethical and legal implications in a biomedical perspective Authors Benson E. Ginsburg, Bonnie Frank Carter Journal DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) Year 1987 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - this is about diagnostic classification Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5275-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5275-4)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Cohort study, 2022

Do adverse childhood experiences increase risk of PMS and PMDD?

Case-control study, 2007

Do women with PMDD see emotions in faces differently during the luteal phase?

Survey study, 2014

Should PMDD be included as an official diagnosis in psychiatric manuals?

Survey study, 2011

Does experiencing discrimination increase the risk of PMDD?

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