How does my doctor find out if I have PMDD?
Your doctor will check your symptoms and the way they relate to your menstrual cycle. You might fill out a symptom chart for several weeks. There is no test that can diagnose PMDD.
Daily Symptom Report
Severity scoring for each symptom:
0 = No symptom
1= Minimal or slightly apparent to you
2 = Moderate, awareness of symptom but does not affect your daily routine
3 = A lot, continuously bothered by the symptom and/or symptoms interferes with your daily routine
4 = Severe, symptom is overwhelming and/or unable to carry out your daily routine
Day 1 is first day of menses
Adapted with permission from Freeman EW, DeRubeis RJ, Rickels K. Reliability and validity of a daily diary for premenstrual syndrome. Psychiatry Res 1996;65:97-106.
Source
Diagnosis and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder by Subhash C. Bhatia, M.D., and Shashi K. Bhatia, M.D. (American Family Physician October 01, 2002, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20021001/1239.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 08/10
Created: 04/03