--- title: Are premenstrual symptoms linked to psychotic-like experiences? description: Yes. Women with more intense premenstrual symptoms reported more psychotic-like experiences. Depression and anxiety partially explained this link for negative url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/depression-and-anxiety-mediate-the-relationship-between-the-retrospectively-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are premenstrual symptoms linked to psychotic-like experiences? Cohort study, 2023 # Are premenstrual symptoms linked to psychotic-like experiences? Yes. Women with more intense premenstrual symptoms reported more psychotic-like experiences. Depression and anxiety partially explained this link for negative psychotic-like experiences but not positive ones. Early or limited evidence 108 non-clinical subjects ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 108 non-clinical subjects who completed self-report questionnaires measuring premenstrual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and psychotic-like experiences. ## What they found Premenstrual symptom scores were significantly and positively associated with psychotic-like experiences. The relationship was stronger for positive psychotic-like experiences. Anxiety and depression partially mediated the relationship only for negative psychotic-like experiences. ## What it means for you Women with premenstrual symptoms may experience more psychotic-like thoughts. This was a small cross-sectional study using only self-report questionnaires, so we cannot prove that one causes the other. Further studies are needed. 108 Non-clinical subjects studied Positive Stronger association type Partial Depression and anxiety role ## About the study Original title Depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between the retrospectively measured symptoms of premenstrual disorders and negative but not positive psychotic-like experiences Authors Antosz-Rekucka R, Prochwicz K Journal Scientific reports Year 2023 Study design Cohort study Participants 108 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44573-x](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44573-x) Original abstract The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between retrospectively measured premenstrual symptoms and subclinical forms of positive and negative psychotic symptoms (psychotic-like experiences; PLEs). It was hypothesised that subjective intensity of the symptoms of premenstrual disorders predicts PLEs frequency and that this relationship is mediated by anxiety and depression. The study sample comprised 108 non-clinical subjects. Study variables were assessed with self-report questionnaires: the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST); the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II); the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; trait sub-scale); the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE). Regression and mediation analyses were performed. The PSST scores were significantly and positively associated with psychotic-like experiences frequency. The relation was stronger for positive PLEs. Anxiety and depression partially mediated the relationship between premenstrual symptoms and negative PLEs, but not between premenstrual symptoms and positive PLEs. Although the design of the study does not allow to infer causality, it demonstrates strong, positive relationship between the symptoms of premenstrual disorders and psychotic-like experiences. The relationship between premenstrual disorders and negative PLEs seems to be partially based on a general psychopathological factor. Further longitudinal studies are needed to test whether premenstrual disturbances increase risk of psychotic symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## 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/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2004 How common is PMS and premenstrual worsening of psychiatric symptoms in women with mental health disorders? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2025 Do women with PMS have higher anxiety, stress, and different personality traits? Survey study, 2025 How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗