---
title: Is depression common in people with PMS? | Niyora
description: About 40% of people with PMS or anxiety had recurrent brief depression, even though most weren't being treated for it.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/recurrent-brief-depression-and-personality-traits-in-allergy-anxiety-and-2007/
---

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- Is depression common in people with PMS?

Survey study, 2007

# Is depression common in people with PMS?

About 40% of people with PMS or anxiety had recurrent brief depression, even though most weren't being treated for it.

 Early or limited evidence

159 adult patients with anxiety, PMS, or allergies from a general practice

## What they did

Survey of 384 patients with anxiety, PMS, or allergies from a general practice; 159 were interviewed. Doctors screened for depression using DSM-IV criteria and measured personality traits using standard questionnaires.

## What they found

In patients with PMS or anxiety, 40% had recurrent brief depression compared to 21% of those with allergies. About half of those with depression had moderate to severe symptoms. People with depression had different personality scores than those without depression.

## What it means for you

This shows that depression is common in people with PMS but often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The study was limited by being from just one general practice and not randomly selecting participants.

40%

had recurrent brief depression

159

patients interviewed

21%

with allergy had depression

## About the study

Original title Recurrent brief depression and personality traits in allergy, anxiety and premenstrual syndrome patients: a general practice survey Authors Williams WR, Richards JP, Ameen JR et al. Journal Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research Year 2007 Study design Survey study Participants 1,094 What was tested None (observational study of depression) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17325634/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17325634/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Diagnosis experience and healthcare access](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-healthcare-access/)

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