The symptoms of PMDD can be similar to those of other conditions, so health care providers will likely perform a physical exam, obtain a medical history, and order certain tests to rule out other conditions when making a diagnosis.
A symptom chart is also used in the diagnostic process to determine any correlation between the symptoms and the menstrual cycle.
According to the guidelines, symptoms must:
be present a week before the onset of menses
resolve after the start and within the first few days of flow
interfere with normal daily living
For a PMDD diagnosis to be made, a patient must experience at least five symptoms, including at least one of the following:
feelings of sadness or hopelessness
feelings of anxiety or tension
mood changes or increased sensitivity
feelings of anger or irritability
Other symptoms of PMDD can include:
apathy to routine activities, which may be associated with social withdrawal
difficulty concentrating
fatigue
changes in appetite
sleeping problems, whether excessive sleeping (hypersomnia) or insomnia
feeling overwhelmed or having a sense of a lack of control