Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Scientists have found that the immune system, the body's system dedicated to fighting infections, can be in a state of "hyperactivity" (i.e., more active than you would normally expect) in some people with depression and postnatal depression, despite the lack of any actual ongoing infection. This response is referred to as inflammation. This discovery has unveiled unique opportunities to identify new medications to help patients with this heightened inflammation who have also not been responding to their antidepressant medications. This study aims to explore how inflammation in the body may be linked to symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) across the menstrual cycle, and how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours also may change throughout the cycle. We are recruiting two groups of people: People with a clinical or provisional (suspected) diagnosis of PMDD, and healthy controls who experience mild/no premenstrual changes. Over a two-month period, participants will complete daily psychological assessments across two menstrual cycles and will come into King's College Hospital (KCH) twice during one menstrual cycle to provide blood samples to measure their inflammation. By comparing these groups, we hope to gain a better understanding of the biological and psychological factors involved in PMDD, with the long-term goal of improving treatment options.

This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of the Samphire Guided Care (SGC) program * a 12-week structured digital health program combining clinician-led onboarding, at-home neuromodulation using the Lutea tDCS device, neuromodulation coach support, and app-based symptom tracking - on work productivity, employee wellbeing, and quality of life in individuals experiencing mood and cognitive symptoms associated with menstruation, perimenopause, or menopause.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a debilitating cyclic mental disorder affecting about 2-5% of women of reproductive age. PMDD is characterised by recurring emotional, behavioural, cognitive, and somatic symptoms that arise during the luteal (premenstrual) phase of the menstrual cycle and remit shortly after the onset of menses. Although pharmacological interventions are available, many women experience residual symptoms, discontinue treatment or refrain from them because of side effects. Therefore, non-pharmacological treatment options are needed. Preliminary evidence suggests that internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is a promising candidate, but further research is warranted. Also, there is room for treatment improvement. Specifically, it has been suggested that components targeting emotional and interpersonal dysregulation should be incorporated into CBT for PMDD. The current study aims to assess the effects of an ICBT intervention for PMDD incorporating skills training in emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

This study is testing a self-help mental health program that was designed to help people cope with the challenges of living with a premenstrual disorder. Individuals with a premenstrual disorder - either premenstrual dysphoric disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of depression - will track their daily symptoms for two menstrual cycles before they complete the program, throughout the two-cycle program, and for an additional two cycles after accessing the program. This will allow the research team to compare their symptoms before and after accessing the program.