Premenstrual Depressive Changes: Value of Differentiation

Premenstrual depressive changes and differential correlates of specific subtypes of premenstrual dysphoria vary. Our data support two basic assumptions: (1) Premenstrual changes should be studied as diversified subtypes rather than as a single premenstrual tension syndrome; such an approach might lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of specific types of premenstrual changes. (2) Some specific subtypes of premenstrual changes of a depressive nature resemble some subtypes of affective disorder and, hence, may serve as a model for the study of these disorders.