Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Depression and Quality of Life in Individuals with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Abstract

This experimental study investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on depression and quality of life in individuals with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD, a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, affects 3-8% of women worldwide, causing significant mood disturbances and functional impairment during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This study employed a pre-post experimental design with 17 women aged 18-28 years (M=25.82, SD=5.11) meeting DSM-5 criteria for PMDD as determined by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Participants underwent 12 weekly individual CBT sessions lasting 45 minutes each, designed to identify and modify maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors associated with premenstrual symptomatology. The intervention's effectiveness was assessed through pre-post comparisons using validated instruments: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depressive symptoms, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL), and PSST for PMDD diagnosis. Paired samples t-test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention scores across measures. It is hypothesized that CBT intervention will yield significant reductions in depression scores and significant improvements in quality of life among participants. Results showed a significant improvement in depression scores and quality of life of participants, however marital status was proven to not be a factor affecting the results. Additionally, this research contributes to increased clinical awareness and recognition of PMDD, addressing the current diagnostic gap in women’s reproductive mental health and providing healthcare practitioner with evidence based treatment guidelines