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Depressive

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Intense emotional symptoms (irritability, sadness, anxiety, mood swings) in the week before menstruation, which improve a few days after onset and affect daily life.

Common signs

Intense irritability or sadness before your periodAnxiety or feeling out of controlImproves when your period starts

Tips

For you

  1. Track symptoms over two cycles
  2. See a gynaecologist and a psychologist
  3. Exercise, sleep and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol

For family and friends

  1. Plan together for the hardest days of the cycle
  2. Validate her distress: she isn't "exaggerating"

When to ask for help

  1. If the symptoms affect work or your relationship
  2. If thoughts of death appear on those days: 024

Are you having a really hard time? If you're thinking of harming yourself, call 024 (free, 24 hours) or 112.

Guidance test

Answer thinking about the last few weeks. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Before my period I feel very irritable
2. Before my period I'm very sad or cry easily
3. Before my period I feel very anxious or tense
4. Before my period I have sudden mood swings
5. On those days I have lots of conflicts with others
6. I find it hard to concentrate on those days
7. The symptoms improve when my period starts
8. It happens in most cycles
Also take the full depression test →

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveFree guide: DepressionFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorderDepressiveDepression (major depressive disorder)DepressivePersistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)DepressivePerinatal and postpartum depressionDepressive

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.