Can You Get Earworms from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?

Reader’s Question

Can you get earworms from having premenstrual dysphoric disorder? The reason I’m asking is that before I got the music (earworms) I do remember becoming depressed around that time of the month. So I was just wondering if that could have lead to the earworms. Thanks.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

An “earworm” is a song or a part of a song that gets stuck in your thought process, repeating over and over. Many times, the song is from a commercial or top 40 list but it can also be a child’s song or a section of a song. Clinically, when we ignore the song aspect of an earworm, we realize it’s actually a musical obsessive thought. Earworms are commonly found in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Depression. Obsessive thoughts, and thus earworms, are linked to low levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin (as are OCD and Depression). Research also tells us that Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD) is associated with low levels of Serotonin, prompting the use of Serotonin-increasing antidepressants as part of the treatment plan.

The answer to your question is Yes — you can experience earworms as a symptom of PDD. Everyone has a low-Serotonin indicator. The nature of this warning sign depends upon multiple factors. For some, the warning signs are nightmares of past trauma. Others experience sleep problems, begin counting and other rituals, or experience obsessive thoughts and/or earworms. You’ll find that as your mood improves, your earworms will disappear.

For additional information, I’d recommend reading ‘Ask the Psychologist’ entries tagged with “OCD” — you can find a list of tags in the sidebar of this page. In the future, the presence of earworms will serve as a warning sign that you are becoming depressed or stressed.

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