Postpartum mood disorders: diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

TLDR

Postpartum mood disorders range from mild blues to severe depression and psychosis, are frequently overlooked, and pose risks for recurrent maternal depression and adverse child development, underscoring the need for prompt recognition and effective treatment. This article reviews the assessment of postpartum mood disturbance and provides treatment guidelines for affective illness during the puerperium.

Abstract

Mood disturbance occurs commonly during the postpartum period. The symptoms may be transient and relatively mild (as in postpartum blues) or may be associated with significant impairment of functioning (as in postpartum depression and puerperal psychosis). Despite the prevalence of postpartum mood disorders, depressive symptoms that emerge during the puerperium are often overlooked. Puerperal affective illness places the mother at risk for the development of recurrent depression and has also been associated with significant long-term effects on child development and behavior. Therefore, the prompt recognition and efficacious treatment of puerperal mood disorders are essential in order to avoid adverse outcomes for both mother and infant. This article discusses the evaluation of postpartum mood disturbance and offers guidelines for the treatment of affective illness during the puerperium.