Review, 2002
Can PMS or premenstrual psychosis be used as a legal defense?
A small subset of women experience psychotic symptoms during the premenstrual phase. This defense has largely failed in US courts but has been used in Great Britain to support claims of diminished capacity.
What they did
Review of medical and legal literature on premenstrual syndrome, with a focus on premenstrual psychosis and its use in criminal defense cases.
What they found
Some women experience psychotic symptoms in the premenstrual phase. PMS has been offered as a legal defense with different outcomes between countries.
What it means for you
Premenstrual psychosis is rare but real. Legal recognition varies by country. This is a literature review summarizing existing medical and legal sources.
up to 90%
Women of reproductive age believed to have PMS
About the study
- Original title
- PMS, psychosis and culpability: sound or misguided defense?
- Authors
- Downs LL
- Journal
- Journal of forensic sciences
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1520/jfs15546j
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