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Mental Illness and Compounded Vulnerability

This website investigates how the label of mental illness can compound vulnerabilities in historically disadvantaged populations. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is one such label. We offer proposals for the APA and DSM Committees.

Current Diagnosis Chart

The chart below by Dickerson et al. outlines the process by which a woman’s symptoms could be classified as PMS, PMDD, or some other physical or psychiatric disorder. To arrive at a decisive answer to the questions given above, clinicians must ensure that “symptoms are confirmed by at least 2 consecutive months of prospective daily symptom ratings. Daily symptom ratings must be done by the woman and can also be done by someone with whom she lives” (DSM-IV-TR 772).

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