Mood Disorders
Distinguishing between PMDD and other mood disorders can difficult. The symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), disorder, and dysthemia often worsen during a woman’s phase, which gives the appearance that the conditions are tied menstrual cycle even when they aren’t. PMDD is also sometimes with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. (8 describes these disorders in more detail.)
Question
Why is it so critical to distinguish between a mood disorder and PMDD, especially if the mood symptoms are similar?
Accurate diagnosis of mental disorders is critical for appropriate treatment. PMDD is treated differently than major depression, with which it is often confused. For example, PMDD can be treated using intermittent doses of the SSRI fluoxetine; the drug may be given only during the luteal phase. In contrast, major depression is typically treated with continuous (daily) dosing of SSRIs (both fluoxetine and other types of SSRIs), frequently in conjunction with therapy.
