Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, symptoms, causes and treatment

There are days that seem more complicated than others since our mood varies according to the circumstances around us. In certain specific periods, many women go through situations that have an impact on the emotions they have. It is well known that menstrual syndrome belongs to a cycle in which the woman travels mood variations and the relationship with their environment can be affected following this event.

There are women who suffer from a period prior to menstruation in which a series of physical and emotional modifications appear that affect them in their day to day. The set of symptoms experienced by women at this stage is called premenstrual syndrome and possessing relevant data about this issue can provide us with very useful tools. ¿You want to know more about this? In this psychology-online article we will provide information about Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: What is, symptoms, causes and treatment.

1. What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder
2. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms
3. Causes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
4. Treatment

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder

When we talk about premenstrual dysforic disorder, we are referring to A pathology in which there is predominance of moments of irritability, symptoms of anxiety and/or depression as part of the Premenstrual syndrome, that is, before the first bleeding. Consequently, this can negatively affect the interpersonal relationships of those who suffer from this disorder.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms

According to the DSM-V, there are some criteria that define the premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is worth mentioning that the woman must be in a fertile age so that the premenstrual dysphoric disorder can be considered. On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that these qualities must be repeated during two menstrual cycles consecutive, at least.

¿You want to know how to detect premenstrual dysphoric disorder? To do this, it is important that you know that they must be At least five symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder to establish a correct diagnosis. Next, we will present the characteristics referred to this clinical picture:

• Sadness, hopelessness or personal disapproval.
• Tension, anxiety or impatience.
• Weak mood, frequent crying.
• Irritability, persistent anger and increased interpersonal conflicts.
• Loss of interest in usual activities.
• Difficulty in concentration.
• Fatigue.
• Changes in appetite related to binge.
• Hypersomnia.
• Insomnia.
• Lost of control.
• Hypersensitivity.
• Breast.
• Headaches.
• Weight gain.
• Joint pain.
• Muscle pains.
• Suicide ideas.

Causes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

One of the most important aspects to take into account in the appearance of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder resides in the causes of the same. While the origins of this disorder are not determined in its entirety, the truth is that to place the causes allows establish proper treatment To address this problem in an efficient way. At the following points, we will develop the main causes associated with this pathology:

Genetic factors

It is possible that the transmission of genes of a mother towards her daughter has an influence on the development of this problem since there are certain neuronal connections that are linked to the emotional reactions of a person in the face of certain particular situations.

Environmental factors

During childhood, experiences that are stored as memories are carried out. In this way, it may happen that the woman has lived some time related to the period prior to the menstruation in which there has been a great tension that was later adopted as behavior pattern.

In turn, here the imitation plays a fundamental role since if the mother suffers from this disorder it is feasible that her daughter also present similar characteristics. On the other hand, environmental factors are associated with problems depression and anxiety.

It is important to note that the diagnosis must be carried out by a health professional since it will be responsible for evaluating the characteristics of the patient and supervising clinical evolution over time.

Treatment

¿You want to know how premenstrual dysphoric syndrome is cured? Despite the difficulties that premenstrual dysphoric disorder entails, there are currently treatments that allow improvement in the lives of people who suffer from it. Next, we will describe the most effective treatments to this problem:

Psychological therapy for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

There are several types of therapy that can help women who present this diagnosis. On the one hand, short duration therapies are focused on the work of emotions, thoughts and behaviors in situations that cause difficulties.

You should know that having an effective Emotions management And good mental health is fundamental, otherwise, it is recurrent to suffer episodes of pain. This allows other resources to face anxiety situations in a more efficient way can be established. We tell you more about this link in psychological treatment of chronic pain: psycho-corporal conciliation therapy. In this group, we will also highlight therapy behavioral cognitive.

On the other hand, long duration therapies try to place the origin of the person's conflicts so that they can adopt other alternatives in situations that cause anxiety and/or stress. Here we will locate the Psychoanalysis therapy as main.

Pharmacological treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

When the symptoms that appear have a greater gravity, certain psychopharmaceuticals that act on the brain chemistry since they have the ability to produce changes in neuronal connections associated with a person's emotions.

Natural treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Another alternative that has beneficial effects against premenstrual dysphoric disorder lies in changes in lifestyle. This represents one healthy nutrition Based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and a decrease in the consumption of sugar, salt, alcohol and caffeine.

On the other hand, the realization of physical exercise It allows greater relaxation of the central nervous system and this decreases the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In turn, the modification in sleep habits also contributes to this problem.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: What is, symptoms, causes and treatment, We recommend that you enter our clinical psychology category.

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-V). Arlington: Pan -American Medical Editorial.