[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Recommendation for diagnosis of a distinct affective clinical picture]

In the research appendix of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edn.), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDS) is classified as a cycle-related affective disorder. The cycle dependency of symptoms is the mean criterion for classifying this syndrome as a distinct etiological entity. These time-related criteria make special demands on diagnostic procedure, which must include retrospective and prospective elements. With our own study, we propose a three-step diagnostic process: (1) telephone screening, (2) retrospective diagnosis by a structured clinical interview, and (3) prospective diagnosis based on daily symptom ratings during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Following this procedure, the disorder could be verified in 4% of the original sample, which replicates the prevalence rate found in the literature.