Postpartum psychosis is a very serious psychiatric illness that can be life threatening. Across all cultures, it affects approximately 1 per 1000 women in the first days to weeks postpartum. Often the symptoms of postpartum psychosis begin very quickly--- even within the first 48 hours after delivery. Overall, over 90% of women... Read more
Although there is limited evidence from research studies to guide the treatment of women with depression during pregnancy or lactation, there are many available treatment options that can decrease suffering and improve quality of life. Research focused on women during pregnancy or postpartum poses substantial ethical and practical challenges... Read more
Screening for postpartum depression is easy to accomplish by administering self-report screening tests to women during pregnancy or postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS is one example of an often used screening tool.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a well-validated and widely used 10-item self-report... Read more
Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disability among women in the world. In particular, women during their reproductive years are at high risk for major depression (MDD) (Robins et al, 1991). Perinatal depression, defined as depressive episodes that occur either during pregnancy or within the first 6 months postpartum, can have... Read more
