---
title: Do mental health professionals support adding premenstrual dysphoric disorder to the psychiatric manual?
description: Most social workers surveyed did not support adding premenstrual dysphoric disorder to the manual, though many were undecided. This reflects professional deba
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dsm-iii-r-the-conflict-over-new-psychiatric-diagnoses-1989/
---

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- Do mental health professionals support adding premenstrual dysphoric disorder to the psychiatric manual?

Survey study, 1989

# Do mental health professionals support adding premenstrual dysphoric disorder to the psychiatric manual?

Most social workers surveyed did not support adding premenstrual dysphoric disorder to the manual, though many were undecided. This reflects professional debate about whether PMDD should be classified as a psychiatric diagnosis.

 Early or limited evidence

Social workers in a national survey (number not stated)

## What they did

This was a survey study. Social workers were surveyed nationally about their views on three proposed new diagnoses to be added to the psychiatric manual: premenstrual dysphoric disorder, paraphilic rapism, and masochistic personality disorder.

## What they found

The majority of social workers did not support adding these three proposed diagnoses, and many responses were undecided. Professional opposition was significant enough to reopen the debate about the manual among mental health professionals.

## What it means for you

Mental health professionals disagreed about whether PMDD should be a psychiatric diagnosis. This is important because professional opinion can influence official diagnostic manuals. However, this is a survey of opinions, not evidence from clinical studies.

## About the study

Original title DSM-III-R: the conflict over new psychiatric diagnoses Authors Kutchins H, Kirk SA Journal Health & social work Year 1989 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/hsw/14.2.91](https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/14.2.91)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Borderline personality disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bpd/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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