Postpartum major depression

Author

Hirst KP, Moutier CY

University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, 92103, USA. khirst@ucsd.edu

Resource

Am Fam Physician 2010 Oct 15; 82(8): 926-33.

Abstract

Postpartum major depression is a disorder that is often unrecognized and must be distinguished from "baby blues." Antenatal depressive symptoms, a history of major depressive disorder, or previous postpartum major depression significantly increase the risk of postpartum major depression. Screening with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale may be appropriate. Some women with postpartum major depression may experience suicidal ideation or obsessive thoughts of harming their infants, but they are reluctant to volunteer this information unless asked directly. Psychotherapy or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be used to treat the condition. In patients with moderate to severe postpartum major depression, psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medication. No evidence suggests that one antidepressant is superior to others. Antidepressants vary in the amount secreted into breast milk. If left untreated, postpartum major depression can lead to poor mother-infant bonding, delays in infant growth and development, and an increased risk of anxiety or depressive symptoms in the infant later in life.

Major Subject Heading(s)	Minor Subject Heading(s)
>Depression, Postpartum >Patient Education as Topic [methods] >Psychotherapeutic Processes	>Diagnosis, Differential >Female >Humans >Incidence >Patient Education as Topic >United States [epidemiology]

PMID: 20949886
Publication Type: Journal Article, Review
Citation Subset: AIM, IM
SummaryForPatientsIn(cites the reference containing a patient summary article): see article in Am Fam Physician. 2010 Oct 15;82(8):939-40, PMID is 20949887

Last Modified:  : 2/20/2011

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