Define and identify the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Distinguish between these disorders and explain the treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Responses should consider:

PMS
- It's a set of symptoms that may occur during the days leading up to the start of a woman's period.
- It's caused by the cycling of hormones in a woman's body, which may affect some women emotionally and psychologically.
- Symptoms include dysphoria, mood swings, depression, irritability, tension, aggression, fatigue, headaches, breast soreness, abdominal cramping, backache, water retention, constipation, and specific food cravings.

PMDD
- It's a relatively rare but significantly more intense form of PMS that is now a proposed official clinical diagnosis.
- It differs from PMS in terms of the number and severity of symptoms.
- Diagnosis of PMDD applies only to those with the most serious and most debilitating symptoms.
- Diagnosis of PMDD requires that five or more of the following symptoms be present during the week before the start of menstruation, must vary over a woman's fertility cycle, and must be severe enough to seriously impair her relationships with others, interfere with work, school, and effective functioning in the normal activities of her daily life.
- Symptoms include:
- major depressive symptoms
- intense anxiety, tension
- radical mood swings such as sudden sadness or increased sensitivity in social situations
- persistent, extreme anger, irritability, or increased interpersonal conflicts
- loss of interest in usual or favorite activities
- poor concentration
- fatigue, general lack of energy
- changes in appetite, such as overeating or cravings for specific foods
- difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- physical symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and muscle pains

Treatment of PMDD
- Treatment depends on many issues relating to a woman's specific symptoms, the seriousness of the overall symptomology, the individual patient's profile, and the treatment preferences of the doctor.
- The most effective treatment currently in use is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Celexa.
- These drugs were originally developed to treat depression.
- They trigger changes in the brain's balance of neurotransmitter chemicals, particularly serotonin, and can significantly reduce both the psychological and physical symptoms commonly associated with PMDD for many women.
- There are other treatments that are somewhat beneficial, including dietary changes, various relaxation and stress-reduction strategies, hormone therapy, and regular exercise.