PMDD is an acronym for Pre-Mestrual Dysphoric Disorder. It is the most severe form of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). It is a disorder that affects only about 3 - 8% of menstruating women. The http://www.pmdd.factsforhealth.org/ website states "Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a condition associated with severe emotional and physical problems that are linked closely to the menstrual cycle."
The difference between PMS and PMDD is that PMDD will always include severe emotional symptoms such as mood swings, sadness and depression, anxiety, irritability sometimes rage and anger. Plus, symptoms of PMDD get so severe that they significantly interfere with daily activities, work, school, relationships and/or social interactions. http://www.sospmdd.com/pmdd-information/
There are three characteristics that set PMS and PMDD apart which are: 1. the degree to which they interfere with a woman’s ability to enjoy life and to meet her responsibilities; 2. the medications approved by the FDA to treat PMDD; and 3. the prominence of mental and emotional symptoms which, as stated above, will always be present if a woman truly has PMDD. http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/daniel-heller-nd/pmdd-when-pms-interferes-life-and-living
Dr. Daniel Heller states "The underlying cause of PMDD symptoms is physical, not psychological, or emotional, or mental. And although the precise mechanism is not completely understood and is still the subject of much research and debate, we do know that PMDD and PMS, and the type of emotions and thoughts and behaviors that can occur in the days and weeks before the period, are caused by hormonal and biochemical changes in a woman's body." http://www.pmscomfort.com/pms-pmdd-symptoms/pmdd.aspx
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th ed (DSM IV), to have PMDD you must have the following criteria:
A. In most menstrual cycles during the past year, 5 (or more) of the following symptoms were present for most of the time during the last week of the luteal phase, began to remit within a few days after the onset of the follicular phase, and were absent in the week postmenses, with at least one of the symptoms being either (1), (2), (3), or (4):
1. Markedly depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-deprecating thoughts
2. Marked anxiety, tension, feelings of being “keyed up” or “on edge”
3. Marked affective lability (eg, feeling suddenly sad or tearful or increased sensitivity to rejection)
4. Persistent and marked anger or irritability or increased interpersonal conflicts
5. Decreased interest in usual activities (eg, work, school, friends, hobbies)
6. Subjective sense of difficulty in concentrating
7. Lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy
8. Marked change in appetite, overeating, or specific food cravings
9. Hypersomnia or insomnia
10. A subjective sense of being overwhelmed or out of control
11. Other physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, joint or muscle pain, a sensation of “bloating,” or weight gain
B. The disturbance markedly interferes with work or school or with usual social activities and relationships with others (eg, avoidance of social activities, decreased productivity and efficiency at work or school).
C. The disturbance is not merely an exacerbation of the symptoms of another disorder, such as major depressive disorder, panic disorder, dysthymic disorder, or a personality disorder (although it may be superimposed on any of these disorders).
D. Criteria A, B, and C must be confirmed by prospective daily ratings during at least 2 consecutive symptomatic cycles. (The diagnosis may be made provisionally prior to this confirmation.)
NOTE: In menstruating females, the luteal phase corresponds to the period between ovulation and the onset of menses, and the follicular phase begins with menses. In nonmenstruating females (eg, those who have had a hysterectomy), the timing of luteal and follicular phases may require measurement of circulating reproductive hormones.
