---
title: What are the main symptom patterns in PMDD? | Niyora
description: PMDD has five distinct symptom groups: anger and irritability, depressed mood, anxiety and tension, decreased energy with physical symptoms, and eating proble
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/symptom-patterns-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-as-defined-in-the-diagnostic-1999/
---

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- What are the main symptom patterns in PMDD?

Case-control study, 1999

# What are the main symptom patterns in PMDD?

PMDD has five distinct symptom groups: anger and irritability, depressed mood, anxiety and tension, decreased energy with physical symptoms, and eating problems. These patterns were identified through analysis of 99 women's symptoms.

 Moderate study design

99 women with PMDD

## What they did

Researchers analyzed prospectively measured symptoms from 99 women with PMDD using statistical methods on all 24 symptom items from the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.

## What they found

Five main symptom patterns emerged: anger and irritability, depressed mood, anxiety and tension, decreased energy and interest with physical symptoms, and eating problems. Variation was found across different cycle phases and between groups.

## What it means for you

PMDD involves multiple distinct symptom groups rather than just one symptom. Understanding these patterns helps doctors recognize and diagnose PMDD correctly. The main limit is that this is one study, so symptom patterns may vary in other populations.

99

Women studied

24

Symptom items analyzed

5

Main symptom patterns identified

## About the study

Original title Symptom patterns of premenstrual dysphoric disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV Authors Gehlert S, Chang CH, Hartlage S Journal Journal of women's health Year 1999 Study design Case-control study Participants 99 What was tested None; this was observational analysis of symptom patterns Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1999.8.75](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1999.8.75)

## 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/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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

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