Survey study, 2013
Is PMDD linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts?
Yes. In this large US survey, women with PMDD were more than twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts than women with no premenstrual symptoms, even after accounting for other factors.
What they did
Researchers looked at data from 3,965 American women aged 18-40 who took part in a national psychiatric health survey. They compared rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts across women with no premenstrual symptoms, moderate/severe PMS, and PMDD, using statistical models that adjusted for background factors and other mental health conditions.
What they found
Suicidal behavior rose step by step with PMDD status. After adjusting for demographics and other psychiatric conditions, women with PMDD were still more likely than women with no premenstrual symptoms to report suicidal ideation (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.40-3.53), plans (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.20-4.28), and attempts (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.08-4.08). Women with moderate/severe PMS only had a higher risk of suicidal ideation (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.88), not plans or attempts.
What it means for you
PMDD appears to carry a real, independent risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior, so the paper suggests clinicians treating PMDD should watch for this and treat premenstrual symptoms in anyone showing suicidal signs. The main limit is that this is a cross-sectional study, so it shows a link, not proof that PMDD causes suicidal behavior.
OR 2.22
Odds of suicidal ideation with PMDD vs none
OR 2.27
Odds of suicide plans with PMDD vs none
OR 2.10
Odds of suicide attempts with PMDD vs none
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder as a correlate of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among a nationally representative sample
- Authors
- Pilver CE, Libby DJ, Hoff RA
- Journal
- Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 3,965
- What was tested
- None (observational study, no treatment tested)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0548-z
Topics
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