Emotional Dysregulation and Psychiatric Morbidity in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case–Control Study from a Moroccan Population

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition marked by hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive abnormalities. Although there is still a lack of data from North African populations, emerging evidence points to an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders and emotional dysregulation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of emotional dysregulation and psychiatric disorders among Moroccan women with PCOS, as well as the correlations between these conditions and clinical and demographic factors . Methods : A cross-sectional case-control study that included 70 matched controls and 75 women with PCOS was carried out. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) was used to measure emotional dysregulation, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to measure psychiatric disorders. Results: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls (94.7% vs. 77.1%; p = 0.002). Increased odds of mood disorders (AOR = 3.37; p = 0.001), anxiety disorders (AOR = 1.99; p = 0.043), and eating disorders (AOR = 3.84; p = 0.046) were all independently linked to PCOS. The PCOS group had higher DERS total scores (92.9±18.1 vs. 79.4±13.8; p<0.001), especially in the areas of impulse control, goal-directed behavior, emotional awareness, and emotional clarity. A sedentary lifestyle was linked to higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Conclusion Regardless of sociodemographic variables, Moroccan women with PCOS have a high prevalence of mental illnesses and emotional dysregulation. These results emphasize the necessity of multidisciplinary care that includes psychological therapies and lifestyle changes, as well as systematic mental health screening.