Positive Health Online

Abstract

LIMOSIN and ADES, Service de Psychiatrie du Professeur Rouillon, Hopital Albert-Chenevier, 40, rue de Mesly, 94000 Creteil, France reviewed (47 references) the diagnosis, prevalence, causes and treatment of premenstrual disorder.

Background

Premenstrual syndrome has undergone frequent investigation in many different types of study, but findings have been inconclusive, leading to many doctors becoming disinterested in the issue. In recent years, however, psychiatrists have taken an interest in this area, recognizing that anxiety and mood changes can impair social skills and cause functional disability. Severe symptoms can affect many areas of life and therefore should be treated. In 1983, a conference of the US National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) led to the proposal of the first diagnostic criteria for premenstrual syndrome. Successful diagnosis required prospective daily assessment of symptoms. In 1987, diagnostic criteria for Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder were defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Third Edition-Revised (DSM III-R). In 1994, with the publication of DSM-IV (DSM, Fourth Edition), this disorder retained the same diagnostic criteria but was renamed Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

The diagnostic criteria set out in the DSM make premenstrual syndrome appear a generalized and homogeneous disorder. However, it remains a complex and many-faceted condition and can affect different individuals in vastly different ways. For many years, premenstrual syndrome was viewed as a physical disorder and remained untreated. Today, however, physicians are coming to recognize that psychiatric symptoms can be severe, resulting in functional and quality-of-life impairment, and therefore justify medical intervention. To distinguish isolated mild complaints from a severe disabling disorder, the standardized prospective auto-assessment method should be used. The most effective medical treatments to date appear to be intermittent SSRIs.

References

Limosin F, Ades J. (Psychiatric and psychological aspects of premenstrual syndrome.) L’Encephale 27 (6): 501-8. Nov-Dec 2001.

Comment

Isn’t is amazing that if you ask psychiatrists to review the literature regarding PMS, they will concentrate on psychiatric and psychoactive drugs as the prime treatment vehicles, rather than even considering the potentially therapeutic benefits which can be obtained using nutritional, herbal, or Chinese Medical approaches? I especially draw your attention to the above description of the ‘femininity complex!’