Psychotherapy Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), also known as the end of the luteal phase disorder is a condition that can be treated thanks to Psychology. Somatopsíquicos these diseases or syndromes are of unknown origin. However, it is considered that changes of sex steroid concentration associated with the menstrual cycle may be related.

According to psciólogos symptoms appear about a week before menstruation, during the luteal phase. These include mood disorder (irritability, emotional lability, depression, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal), sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying a dream make it refreshing) or changes in behavior (such as change in eating patterns). In addition to physical symptoms (edema of the lower extremities, weight gain, headache, syncope, paraesthesia, tenderness, or breast pain, bloating).

While it is not known exactly what causes the state of premenstrual unpleasant mood, it is estimated that up to 80% of women experience some alteration in mood, sleep and somatic symptoms in the premenstrual phase, and about 40% suffers mild or moderate form that leads them to consult with your doctor. However, only between 3 and 7% of women experience symptoms that significantly impair their functional activity, a situation that leads to a diagnosis of PMDD. Thus, PMS and PMDD differ in the number and severity of symptoms as well as functional impairment.

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome

Although there are no conclusive studies on the prognosis and evolution of PMDD, evidence suggests that the symptoms tend to be chronic, unless effective treatment is applied. Currently, patients often respond well to selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake. Also, both PMDD and PMS psychotherapy is effective support to help them recognize the symptoms. This would contribute to the definition of a coping strategy, relief, and therefore a subjective sense of control of the situation, which can help address the functional impairment.

During psychoeducation psychotherapeutic techniques used for improving the physical symptoms through dietary guidelines that include diuretics and purifying foods and exercises that improve swelling and pain, and self-control techniques for irritability, methods breathing and relaxation for anxiety and sleep disorders, among others. When a patient comes to see the first step is to design a personalized treatment, made according to the needs and symptoms presented by each patient.

There is evidence that this therapy is effective, whether it is a supplement or drug therapy for PMDD, or only treatment for this and PMS. The patients detected an improvement in a few months, particularly with regard to affective symptoms as well as the subjective feeling of control of a situation hitherto assumed with resignation and involving their quality of life and even interactions with other people.