Early maladaptive schema domains in the first day of menses and 15 days after the menses in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Introduction

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms may affect the physical, psychological and social lives of many women of the reproductive age group. Most women report being extra-sensitive and have difficulties with emotional regulation and some patients report worsening of their psychiatric symptoms during the premenstrual period. Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are developed early in childhood and may remain dormant until they are activated by situations relevant to the particular schema.

Objective

We hypothesized that some of the psychological symptoms of PMS may be related to EMS activation and that this activation is due to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle.

Aims

Our aim was to measure any changes regarding the EMS domains between the first day of menses and 15 days later.

Methods

One hundred and ten women from an architectural and engineering firm were enrolled in the study. After ruling-out psychopathology with Symptom check-list-90-R, remaining women (n = 65) filled out young schema scale short form (YSS-SF) on the first day of menses and 15 days after menses. The time of probable ovulation was defined as 15 days after the first day of menses.

Results

YSS-SF scores regarding the schemas of defectiveness, insufficient self-control, failure to achieve, vulnerability to harm or illness were significantly decreased by the 15th day of menses (P < 0.05). Abandonment, social isolation, dependency, enmeshment and self-sacrifice schema scores remained similar on the first and 15th days.

Conclusions

EMS activation may contribute to the PMS symptoms, therefore schema therapy may be an option for those women suffering from PMS.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.