--- title: Can premenstrual anxiety and depression be confirmed with objective tests? description: Yes, women with reported premenstrual anxiety and depression had higher objective test scores in the premenstrual phase. Results suggest two populations: one url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-anxiety-and-depression-comparison-of-objective-psychological-tests-1990/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can premenstrual anxiety and depression be confirmed with objective tests? Survey study, 1990 # Can premenstrual anxiety and depression be confirmed with objective tests? Yes, women with reported premenstrual anxiety and depression had higher objective test scores in the premenstrual phase. Results suggest two populations: one with pure PMS and another with underlying depression that worsens premenstrually. Early or limited evidence 40 women with moderate to extreme reported premenstrual anxiety and depression, with no apparent psychiatric disorder. ## What they did Forty women who reported moderate to extreme premenstrual anxiety and depression took two objective psychological tests: the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the IPAT Depression Scale. Tests were done once during days 5-10 of the cycle (low symptom phase) and once during the last 6 days (premenstrual phase). ## What they found Anxiety and depression scores were higher during the premenstrual phase (last 6 days) compared to days 5-10. The distribution of depression scores showed a bimodal pattern, suggesting two different populations: one with pure PMS and another with premenstrual exacerbation of subclinical depression. ## What it means for you Premenstrual anxiety and depression are real and measurable with objective tests. However, the study included only 40 women who already reported these symptoms, so findings may not apply to all women. The bimodal pattern suggests different women may have different causes for mood changes. 40 women studied days 5-10 low symptom cycle phase ## About the study Original title Premenstrual anxiety and depression: comparison of objective psychological tests with a retrospective questionnaire Authors Chisholm G, Jung SO, Cumming CE et al. Journal Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Year 1990 Study design Survey study Participants 40 What was tested State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and IPAT Depression Scale testing at two cycle phases. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06448.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06448.x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/) 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 Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Review, 2025 How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety? Cohort study, 2001 Do psychiatric symptoms get worse before the period in women with schizophrenia? Cohort study, 1986 Is PMS mainly about symptoms worsening before your period, or is there more? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗