We research Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
We are interested in the impact PMDD has on mental health, suicidal behaviour, education, employment, disordered eating, relationships, parenting, risk taking behaviours and more
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Contact: Email us at lynsay.matthews@uws.ac.uk and/or julie.riddell@glasgow.ac.uk
OUR CURRENT PROJECTS
THE UK PMDD RESEARCH AGENDA
We worked with groups of stakeholders to identify research priorities for PMDD in the UK (funded by ESRC and Research England).
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Five key research priorities were identified. See the full research agenda here.

DESIGNING A ROADMAP FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IN PMDD
We will be working with people involved in emergency mental health crisis support, and suicide prevention researchers to create a roadmap for suicide prevention in PMDD.
See our study protocol here.

EATING BEHAVIOURS: WHAT ARE THE EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE WITH PMDD
Masters student, Dr Relindis Nkeng Ebesoh, interviewed people with PMDD about their eating behaviours.
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We found that people with PMDD display disordered eating similar to those of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and anorexia nervosa. Knowing this is important for developing the right type of support.
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We hope to publish Relindis's findings soon!

PMDD AND EATING BEHAVIOURS: WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SAY?
Masters student, Myfanwy Miranda, completed a systematic review of all studies that reported on PMDD and eating behaviours.
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We found that a diagnosis of PMDD is consistently associated with disordered eating. Our review found data suggesting possible mechanims for PMDD's impact on eating.
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We hope to publish Myfanwy's results soon!

EXPLORING WELFARE BENEFITS FOR PMDD: A SOCIO-LEGAL FOCUS
We are working alongside legal researcher, Mhairi Campbell from the University of the West of Scotland, to explore how PMDD is managed in relation to welfare benefit claims.
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Typically, welfare benefit claims are paid for health conditions that impact people >50% of the time. However, this does not address fluctuating conditions such as PMDD where the detrimental impact of the disorder is present when symptoms resolve.
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See here for details.

PMDD AND PARENTING
This study explores the impact of PMDD on parenting and motherhood. It also explores how PMDD potentially impacts the early years of child development.
Our team includes the expertise of researchers from the University of the West of Scotland, including Dr Catriona Fallow, Dr Conny Gollek, Dr Joanne Ingram and Dr Eileen Harkess-Murphy.
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We have finished the first phase of this study. Keep your eyes open for some of the results. We will be recruiting for the next phase (online survey) soon. If you'd like to take part click here.
PMDD and PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
We are working alongside Dr Justine Anthony (University of Leicester) to explore if and how PMDD impacts on physical activity.
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We're interested to know what kind of support might be required to help people with PMDD throughout their menstrual cycle.
Thank you to everyone who completed our online survey. We are now analysing the data!

HORMONAL TRIGGER EVENTS FOR PMDD
We're delighted to announce we won funding from Medical Research Scotland to explore hormonal trigger events for PMDD.
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Details coming soon!