Post-partum Mental Disorders in an Unselected Sample: Frequency of Symptoms and Predisposing Factors

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relation between childbirth and mental disorder. Particular attention was paid to the frequency of pre-pregnancy and post-partum psychiatric symptoms, and possible prognostic and predisposing factors, as aids in predicting the course of such symptoms. From clinical experience we know that psychoses and neuroses may begin during pregnancy, delivery, and the puer perium. Earlier studies of mental illness following parturition were mainly concerned with psychoses?that is, con fusional states, schizophrenia, and massive affective disorders. So far there have been few investigations into mild mental ill ness?that is, neuroses, asth?nie reactions, and mild affective disorders (Hamilton, 1962 ; Jansson, 1963). Most of those studies have been carried out on patients treated in a mental hospital after delivery, which implies a bias or at least a selection of the most serious cases.