Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is best described as ...

• A. Severe PMS with functional impairment and cyclical luteal-phase mood changes
• B. Non-cyclical mood disorder
• C. PMDD is defined by mood symptoms during the follicular phase
• D. PMDD is unrelated to the menstrual cycle

Answer: (A)

PMDD is a severe, cyclic mood disturbance tied to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, causing functional impairment. The luteal phase occurs after ovulation and before the start of menses, so symptoms peak in the week or two before periods and improve after menses begins. In PMDD, mood symptoms—such as marked irritability, mood swings, depression, or anxiety—along with physical symptoms, cause notable distress or impairment in daily functioning across most cycles. This cyclic pattern and level of impairment distinguish PMDD from non-cyclical mood disorders and from mood symptoms that occur during the follicular phase, which is before ovulation and not characteristically linked to the luteal-phase mood changes.