---
title: How is premenstrual dysphoric disorder treated? | Niyora
description: Multiple treatments help PMDD, including antidepressants (particularly SSRIs), psychotherapy, sleep deprivation, and light therapy. SSRIs showed the best resu
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-an-overview-of-diagnosis-epidemiology-and-1997/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How is premenstrual dysphoric disorder treated?

Survey study, 1997

# How is premenstrual dysphoric disorder treated?

Multiple treatments help PMDD, including antidepressants (particularly SSRIs), psychotherapy, sleep deprivation, and light therapy. SSRIs showed the best results among medications.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable; this is a review of treatments, not a study of individual women

## What they did

Review of the diagnosis, epidemiology, and therapeutic approaches for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

## What they found

PMDD was first recognized as a diagnosis in DSM-IV in 1994. Multiple treatments have been studied: antidepressants, psychotherapy, sleep deprivation, and light therapy. Among antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) showed the best findings.

## What it means for you

PMDD is recognized as a medical condition with multiple treatment options. Medications, particularly SSRIs, are the most studied, but non-medication approaches like psychotherapy and light therapy may also help. This review is from 1997, so newer treatments may have been developed.

1994

year PMDD officially recognized in DSM-IV

## About the study

Original title [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. An overview of diagnosis, epidemiology and therapeutic approaches] Authors Lenzinger E, Diamant K, Vytiska-Binstorfer E et al. Journal Der Nervenarzt Year 1997 Study design Survey study What was tested Review of treatments including antidepressants, SSRIs, psychotherapy, sleep deprivation, and light therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s001150050185](https://doi.org/10.1007/s001150050185)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Light therapy and sleep deprivation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-light-therapy/)

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, 2001

What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD?

Review, 2025

How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Survey study, 2001

How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions?

Survey study, 1997

How are anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders linked to PMDD?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗