Survey study, 2024
Do mental health professionals in Japan recognize PMDD and PMS in their patients?
Few professionals initially considered PMDD or PMS when given a case description. But most recognized it when told the symptoms were linked to the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Researchers surveyed psychiatrists and clinical psychologists working at university health services in Japan. They presented a fictional case of a 23-year-old woman and asked whether the professionals thought PMDD or PMS might be the cause of her symptoms.
What they found
Comparatively few professionals initially considered PMDD or PMS as a diagnosis. However, when told the symptoms happened before the menstrual cycle, most then thought PMDD or PMS was possible. Whether professionals considered it a diagnosis was linked to their training and background.
What it means for you
Mental health professionals may miss PMDD and PMS if they don't ask about the menstrual cycle. This study suggests doctors should specifically ask about the menstrual cycle when treating women with depressive symptoms. However, results were based on professionals' responses to a single case scenario, not actual patient encounters.
26
psychiatrists surveyed
140
clinical psychologists surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Understanding of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome among professionals in Japanese university health services: A survey with simulated cases
- Authors
- Fuse-Nagase Y, Kono Y
- Journal
- Asian journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104275
Topics
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