Postpartum depression: what we know

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem. It is prevalent, and offspring are at risk for disturbances in development. Major risk factors include past depression, stressful life events, poor marital relationship, and social support. Public health efforts to detect PPD have been increasing. Standard treatments (e.g., Interpersonal Psychotherapy) and more tailored treatments have been found effective for PPD. Prevention efforts have been less consistently successful. Future research should include studies of epidemiological risk factors and prevalence, interventions aimed at the parenting of PPD mothers, specific diathesis for a subset of PPD, effectiveness trials of psychological interventions, and prevention interventions aimed at addressing mental health issues in pregnant women.

Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: the role of pain and physical difficulties

“…2011b). In turn both lack of sleep and anxiety for the infant are associated with increased risk of postnatal depression (O'Hara 2009). …”

“…First, experiencing PND, or milder depressive symptomology, can mean that mothers find breastfeeding (or infant care in general) more difficult (O'Hara 2009). Mothers with postnatal depression are more likely to perceive their infant as crying excessively and find it more difficult to regulate infant behaviour (Gonidakis et al .…”

Emotional memory in pregnant women at risk for postpartum depression

“…PPD must be distinguished from the "baby blues", which is mild and transient and affects 50-80% of new mothers (Henshaw, 2003). PPD is more serious and persistent whereas baby blues is commonly experienced in new mothers and lasts usually a week after giving birth (O'Hara, 2009). PPD is classified not as a discrete disorder, but as a sub-type of a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 th ed.…”

“…PPD is classified not as a discrete disorder, but as a sub-type of a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 th ed. ; DSM-5;American Psychiatric Association, 2013) with an onset of a Major Depressive episode (MDE) within 4 weeks postpartum (O'Hara, 2009). Its core criterion symptoms include a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for duration of at least 2 weeks or longer and/or a loss of interest or pleasure in activities usually enjoyed.…”

Multi-City Assessment of Lifetime Pregnancy Involvement among Street Youth, Ukraine

“…Pregnant street youth may also be at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth; previous literature has shown higher rates of these negative outcomes among homeless teens and women, 11 although receipt of quality antenatal care might buffer these risks. 12 Street youth exhibit high levels of mental disturbances, including major depressive disorder and suicide ideation, 9,13 and because previous psychopathology is a risk factor for poor mental functioning postpartum, 14 pregnant females on the street may experience exacerbated depression and thoughts of suicide after delivery. Substance-using street youth may be more likely to abuse their children and lose parenting rights.…”