Trastorno disfórico premenestrual. Un caso de estudio

Abstract

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects millions of women worldwide, in most cases negatively impacting their quality of life. The etiology of the disorder is variable, but it has been shown that adverse or traumatic experiences in a woman's life story can be a determining factor for its onset. In this research, a case of severe PMDD is reported in a 40-year-old patient, caused by abuse, mystical-religious manipulation, and submission due to learned helplessness. The main objective of this research was to analyze the manifestations, evaluation, and results of psychological intervention in a case with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The standardized instruments used were the premenstrual symptom screening tool (PSST) and the Fredrickson scale; the respective gynecological tests were also performed to rule out organicity. Once the diagnosis was made, the intervention was planned based on a functional analysis, taking the psychological model of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a reference. The intervention lasted two and a half months, including a follow-up session. Through the application of psychological techniques, a significant improvement in symptoms was obtained without the need to resort to any type of pharmacological therapy, such as hormone replacement therapy or serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs). It is concluded that these patients should be approached by a psychologist who would conduct the indicated treatment and request the necessary consultations.