I am sure you’ve often counselled patients who tell you they become “a different person” before their period every month. She describes extreme mood swings, depression, rage, even suicidal thoughts—and yet, her cycle returns to normal after a few days. If you’ve dismissed this as severe PMS, you’re not alone. This is PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)—a hormone-based mood disorder that affects 3–8% of menstruating women globally, yet remains critically underdiagnosed. In India, over 40% of gynecologists are unfamiliar with PMDD diagnostic criteria, despite seeing patients with these exact symptoms. The good news? PMDD is treatable, and early recognition in the gynecology office can transform lives, save relationships, and restore mental health. You don’t need to be a psychiatrist to spot it—you just need to know what to look for. Read more