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PMDD

Meaning

PMDD, or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, is a severe, debilitating mood disorder characterized by profound emotional and physical symptoms that cyclically manifest in the luteal phase and remit shortly after the onset of menses. This clinical condition is classified as a distinct mental disorder in the DSM-5, representing a pathological, heightened sensitivity to normal cyclical hormone fluctuations, specifically the decline of progesterone and estrogen. Symptoms include extreme irritability, mood lability, anxiety, and depression, significantly impairing daily functioning and quality of life. Accurate diagnosis requires prospective charting of symptoms across multiple menstrual cycles.