DSM-IV

In 1994, the American Psychiatric Association included Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) in Appendix B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), titled “Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further Study.” This placement indicated that, while PMDD was recognized as a potential clinical condition, it required additional research before being officially classified as a distinct mental disorder.

📖 DSM-IV DSM-V

The DSM-IV criteria for PMDD emphasized the timing, nature, and severity of symptoms, as well as the importance of distinguishing PMDD from other mood disorders. Specifically, the criteria required that:

  • Symptoms occur in the late luteal phase of most menstrual cycles during the past year and remit within a few days after the onset of menses.

  • At least five symptoms must be present, including at least one of the following: markedly depressed mood, marked anxiety, marked affective lability, or persistent and marked anger or irritability.

  • Other symptoms could include decreased interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, lethargy, changes in appetite, hypersomnia or insomnia, a sense of being overwhelmed, and physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or bloating.

  • The symptoms must cause significant interference with work, school, usual social activities, or relationships.

  • The disturbance is not merely an exacerbation of another disorder.

  • These criteria must be confirmed by prospective daily ratings during at least two symptomatic cycles.

For a detailed overview of the DSM-IV criteria for PMDD, you can refer to the following source:

This document provides an in-depth analysis of PMDD's classification and the rationale behind its inclusion in DSM-V as a distinct diagnostic category.

📌 Sources: 1. Epperson, C. N. et al. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Evidence for a New Category for DSM-5. Download PDF

2. National Institutes of Health. The Role of Reproductive Hormones in PMDD. Read on NCBI