LATE LUTEAL-PHASE DYSPHORIC DISORDER - A SCIENTIFIC PUZZLE

Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder is described as a classic biopsychosocial disorder resulting from complex interactions of biological, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural forces on women. To understand women suffering from the disorder, one must understand how the genetically designed female brain and body influence and are influenced by experience and learning. Each perspective of understanding constitutes one piece of a scientific puzzle. These perspectives are delineated and the conceptual problem of how to measure the outcome of the interactions is described.