Prior to making a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), your doctor will perform a physical exam and laboratory testing to rule out any physical causes for your symptoms. He will also seek to rule out any other psychiatric conditions which may be responsible for your symptoms.
Once any physical or psychiatric conditions have been eliminated as the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will ask you to chart your daily symptoms over the course of a two-month period using a chart (example).
The purpose of doing the charting is to determine if your symptoms are actually related to the phase of your menstrual cycle and are recurring. If your symptoms occur only during the luteal phase of your cycle (the period between ovulation and menstruation) and recur during most cycles, you may qualify for a diagnosis of PMDD.
Source:
Jacobson, James L. and Alan M. Jacobson. Psychiatric Secrets. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus, 2001.
