This session will explore Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe and debilitating hormone-based mood disorder. One in three people with PMDD attempt suicide and one in two self-harms, therefore, accurate diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Despite this, it usually takes many years for a diagnosis to be made, and it is likely that for many patients the condition is never recognised. This engaging session will include insight from three experts:
- Emily Elson, an Expert by Experience, who has a deep personal and professional understanding of the disorder and speaks passionately and eloquently to engage clinicians to improve their clinical practice. Emily will discuss her difficult journey through the health care system and the ongoing challenges faced as a person living with PMDD
- Dr Sophie Behrman, a Consultant Psychiatrist working in General Adult Psychiatry and also running a menopause and menstrual mental health clinic. Sophie will discuss management strategies within clinical practice and share insight from her own clinical experience on how to improve awareness amongst health professionals
- Dr Lynsay Matthews, lead researcher of the UK’s first PMDD research agenda, will share some of her ongoing research, such as the link with eating disorders and also the adapted suicide prevention model. Lynsay will also outline key research priorities for PMDD and current research advances.
Learning objectives
By attending this session you will:
- Appreciate the complexities of diagnosing PMDD and the biological, psychological and social ramifications for the patient
- Gain understanding on how to diagnose and manage PMDD within mental health settings
- Explore the impact of recent research for PMDD and explore possible future developments.
Speakers
Chair: Dr A Weaver
Miss Emily Elson, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust, Stafford
Dr Sophie Behrman, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford
Dr Lynsay Matthews, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre
Availability
This webinar is part of the Congress webinar 2025 package. If you attended all four days of Congress, you will have access to these as part of your Congress package. Otherwise the Congress webinar 2025 package can be purchased below.
