Premenstrual depression in women with a history of affective disorder: mood and attentional processes.

Survey studies have pinpointed high concordance rates between affective disorder and premenstrual depression. This relationship was investigated in women with a history of both disorders. Sixteen subjects rated symptoms daily during one menstrual cycle, and were assessed on measures of mood and selective attention pre- and postmenstrually. Prospective ratings confirmed premenstrual depression in only eight of the subjects. These subjects demonstrated a significant premenstrual elevation in dysphoric affect, yet exhibited a dysphoric attentional bias both pre- and postmenstrually. These data do not suggest an interactive relationship between affective disorder and premenstrual depression along the particular cognitive dimension of study.