Interview study, 1991
Is premenstrual depression the same as depression from a mood disorder?
For many women with PMS, the depression before their period is similar in type and severity to major depressive disorder, except it lasts shorter. Women with a history of depression after childbirth were more likely to have severe premenstrual depression.
What they did
Interviewed 144 women, most of whom identified as having PMS, about the depression they experienced before their periods and their history of depression and depression treatment.
What they found
The depression before the period was similar in type and severity to major depressive disorder for many women, though it lasted shorter. Women with more severe premenstrual depression were more likely to have previously experienced depression after childbirth. Women whose premenstrual depression lasted longer were more likely to have previously taken antidepressants.
What it means for you
Premenstrual depression in PMS may be a real mood disorder linked to the menstrual cycle. It may connect to depression after childbirth in vulnerable women. Some experience cycle-linked depression while others have a general tendency toward depression that worsens before their period. This was a small interview study of women who identified as having PMS.
144
Women interviewed about premenstrual depression
About the study
- Original title
- The relationship between perimenstrual depressive mood and depressive illness
- Authors
- Warner P, Bancroft J, Dixson A et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 144
- What was tested
- None - interview study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(91)90031-m
Topics
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