PMS and PMDD

Premenstrual sydrome and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the set of physical and mood symptoms that appear during the last one or two weeks of the menstrual cycle and disappear by the end of a full flow of menses (menstruation).

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of PMS that is considered to be unmanageable and may also interfere with social or role functioning.

PMDD has all the symptoms of PMS plus others such as severe depressed mood or dysphoria, anxiety and tension, irritability, decreased interest in usual activities, concentration difficulties, marked lack of energy and change in appetite (overeating or food cravings) sleepiness or insomnia, and a strong feeling of being overwhelmed. Due to these symptoms being similar to clinical depression, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish PMDD from depression. When women are diagnosed with PMDD, they may be relieved to know that their symptoms are not a sign of any serious medical illness. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a woman must have at least five of the typical symptoms listed above, in order to be diagnosed as having PMDD. These symptoms must occur during the two weeks before menses and should disappear once the bleeding begins.

Is there any difference between PMS and PMDD or are they one in the same? Most physicians believe these two terms refer to the same condition, with the basic difference being that in PMDD the mood symptoms tend to be more severe. PMDD warrants serious attention. In fact, PMDD has recently been added to the list of official psychiatric diagnosis.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 sufferers of PMS are actually suffering from PMDD. Although quite a lot of people know about PMS, studies have shown that very few people know about PMDD. Sadly, most cases of PMDD remain undiagnosed and referred to as "a bout of PMS".

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