Testing for Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 5.5% of people who menstruate and is a serious but treatable condition. PMDD is a mood disorder characterized by marked sadness, irritability, depressed mood, and/or anger, and other behavioral and physical symptoms that appear during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (about two weeks before menses) and remit within a few days of menstruation. The symptoms of PMDD cause significant distress and functional impairment.

Symptoms don't need to appear leading up to every period, though symptoms must have occurred in most of the menstrual cycles during the past year, and a diagnosis of PMDD should also be confirmed by tracking daily symptoms during at least two menstrual cycles.

PMDD often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorder. Individuals with PMDD are also at greater risk for suicide and suicidal behavior. Research on PMDD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is limited, though a 2021 study of 209 women with ADHD found that more than 45% of them reported having symptoms suggestive of PMDD. In a recent ADDitude survey, two-thirds of women surveyed said they experienced PMS and/or PMDD.

If you are concerned about the symptoms you experience in the two weeks leading up to your period, answer the questions below and share the results with a licensed clinician and/or mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, dial or text 988 to connect to a trained counselor from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

This self-test was based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is designed to screen for the possibility of PMDD, and it is intended for personal use only. This test is not intended as a diagnostic tool.