---
title: Do PMDD and generalized anxiety disorder affect memory and thinking in the same way during the cycle?
description: No. In this study, women with generalized anxiety disorder had worse memory, attention and psychomotor function in the late luteal phase than women with PMDD,
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-of-the-neurocognitive-skills-between-generalized-anxiety-disorder-and-2012/
---

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- Do PMDD and generalized anxiety disorder affect memory and thinking in the same way during the cycle?

Case-control study, 2012

# Do PMDD and generalized anxiety disorder affect memory and thinking in the same way during the cycle?

No. In this study, women with generalized anxiety disorder had worse memory, attention and psychomotor function in the late luteal phase than women with PMDD, and both groups did worse than healthy women.

 Early or limited evidence

48 women with PMDD, 38 women with generalized anxiety disorder, and 42 healthy women

## What they did

Researchers compared three groups of women of childbearing age: 38 with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 48 with PMDD, and 42 healthy women. Blood samples were taken twice to measure hormones at different cycle phases, and memory, attention and psychomotor tests were given.

## What they found

The GAD group performed worse overall on memory, attention and psychomotor tests in the late luteal phase than the PMDD group. Both patient groups did worse than the healthy controls. Hormone levels changed more across the cycle in both the GAD and PMDD groups than in the healthy group.

## What it means for you

Both PMDD and GAD are linked to some thinking and memory difficulties around the late luteal phase, with GAD showing more impairment than PMDD here. No treatment was tested, and larger studies are needed to fully understand the differences.

48

Women with PMDD

38

Women with GAD

42

Healthy controls

## About the study

Original title Comparison of The Neurocognitive Skills Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Patients: A Controlled Study Authors Selma Bozkurt Zincir, Aynil Yenel Journal Journal of Depression & Anxiety Year 2012 Study design Case-control study Participants 48 What was tested Hormone testing and neurocognitive tests across the menstrual cycle (no treatment tested) Read the paper [doi.org/10.4172/2167-1044.1000117](https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-1044.1000117)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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