Daily Record of Severity of Problems: A PMDD Scale

Do you ever feel like your PMS is more extreme than others' in the lead-up to your period? Take this test to find out if you might be experiencing premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | January 18, 2024

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder stands as a distinct and severe form of premenstrual syndrome, affecting between 2% and 8% of women. Unlike general premenstrual symptoms, PMDD plunges individuals into a profound state of emotional and physical distress, significantly impairing their daily functioning and quality of life. The condition typically manifests in the week before menstruation, with symptoms alleviating shortly after its onset.

The identification and understanding of PMDD have become essential to provide targeted support and intervention for those grappling with this often-misunderstood disorder. Recognizing and measuring symptoms of PMDD are crucial steps in the journey towards effective intervention, as it can severely impact a person's mental health, relationships and overall well-being.

Distinguishing PMDD from general premenstrual symptoms or other mental health conditions is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Individuals experiencing PMDD may unknowingly endure heightened emotional and physical challenges, attributing them to the "normal" fluctuations of the menstrual cycle. Identifying and quantifying these symptoms become critical in breaking the silence surrounding PMDD and providing targeted support to those in need.

The Daily Record of Severity of Problems emerges as a valuable tool in the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of PMDD. This prospective questionnaire allows individuals to systematically record their symptoms daily over several menstrual cycles, providing a comprehensive overview of the cyclical nature of distress.

By offering a tangible record of symptoms, this tool contributes significantly to breaking down barriers to PMDD diagnosis and ensuring that individuals no longer suffer in silence, fostering a pathway toward effective management and improved quality of life.

You can take this test here. Please follow all of the steps to receive your results.

Step 1: On each day of your luteal phase (the week before your period), rate the following symptoms based on how severe your experience of them was on a scale of “not at all” to “extreme.”

1. Felt depressed or sad.

2. Felt hopeless.

3. Felt worthless or guilty.

4. Felt anxious or tense.

5. Had mood swings.

6. Feelings were more easily hurt.

7. Felt angry or irritable.

8. Had conflicts with people.

9. Had less interest in activities.

10. Had trouble concentrating.

11. Felt tired or lacked energy.

12. Had increased appetite.

13. Had food cravings.

14. Slept more or had trouble waking up.

15. Had trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

16. Felt overwhelmed.

17. Felt out of control.

18. Had breast tenderness.

19. Had breast swelling or weight gain, or felt bloated.

20. Had headache.

21. Had joint or muscle pain.

22. At least one of the problems noted above caused reduced productivity at work, school or home.

23. At least one of the problems noted above interfered with hobbies or social activities.

24. At least one of the problems noted above interfered with relationships with others.

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores to people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.

References: Endicott, J., Nee, J., & Harrison, W. (2006). Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DSRP): Reliability and validity. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 9(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-005-0103-y