title: Perceptions of health and somatic sensations in women reporting premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
abstract: Focus on bodily sensations may be involved in the etiology of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study investigated the relationship between two types of somatic self-focus (i.e., health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity) and health-related quality of life (QOL) in women with provision diagnoses of PMS and PMDD. On the basis of responses to a screening measure, 731 college women were divided into three groups: PMDD, Moderate/Severe PMS, and Mild/No PMS. Measures included health-related QOL, health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and trait anxiety. Women with provisional diagnoses of PMDD and moderate/severe PMS reported higher levels of health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity. These relationships were not accounted for by trait anxiety. Furthermore, women in the PMDD and Moderate/Severe PMS groups reported lower health-related QOL. There is a significant health-related QOL burden for college women with PMDD and PMS. Health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity may contribute to the etiology of premenstrual disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Craner
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sigmon
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinson
authors.forename: Morgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGillicuddy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D008403:Mass Screening; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult