Review, 2010
Should PMDD be included in psychiatric diagnostic manuals?
PMDD is currently in the DSM diagnostic manual, which helps women access treatment. The authors raise ethical concerns about whether this classification has unintended consequences.
What they did
Ethical review examining the merits and concerns of including PMDD in the DSM-IV diagnostic manual. The review discusses the normal menstrual cycle, hormonal changes, and the clinical reality of PMDD as a disorder.
What they found
Women lose about 70-80ml of blood each month during menstruation and experience hormonal fluctuations that cause mood changes and physical discomfort. PMDD is listed in the DSM-IV as a depressive disorder, which has helped psychologists recognize and treat women's menstrual cycle problems. However, the review notes there are downsides to having PMDD in the DSM.
What it means for you
Including PMDD in diagnostic manuals has helped women get clinical care, but there are ethical concerns about stigma and implications. The abstract does not specify what those downsides are, so the practical implications are unclear.
70-80
milliliters of blood lost per menstrual cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Psychological Premenstrual Symptoms as a Clinical Diagnosis: An Ethical Review
- Authors
- Isabelle Carren-Le Sauter
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.7916/d84q81zh
Topics
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