A comparison of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and major depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Numerous symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) overlap with those of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study investigates differences in novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward dependence between patients with PMDD, MDD without premenstrual symptoms or premenstrual exacerbation, and normal control subjects.


METHODS
The Chinese version of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire was administered to 51 PMDD, 39 MDD, and 52 normal control women during the luteal phase (between the menstrual cycle days 23 and 28).


RESULTS
Harm avoidance score was significantly higher in women with MDD and PMDD than in controls, whereas reward dependence score was lower in women with MDD than in controls. However, Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (except for the subscale of impulsiveness) did not distinguish between PMDD and MDD during the luteal phase.


CONCLUSIONS
The similarities between PMDD and MDD during luteal phase suggest a similar psychopathology.
Hsu
Shih-Chieh
SC
Department of Psychiatry, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and School of Medicine Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan.
Liu
Chia-Yih
CY
Hsiao
Mei-Chun
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000208:ethnology