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Symptom features of postpartum depression: are they distinct?
Author(s) -
Bernstein Ira H.,
Rush A. John,
Yonkers Kimberly,
Carmody Thomas J.,
Woo Ada,
McConnell Kimberly,
Trivedi Madhukar H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.20276
Subject(s) - postpartum depression , psychomotor retardation , depression (economics) , psychology , mood , psychiatry , suicidal ideation , clinical psychology , psychomotor agitation , postpartum period , depressive symptoms , major depressive disorder , mood disorders , poison control , pregnancy , medicine , injury prevention , cognition , anxiety , genetics , alternative medicine , macroeconomics , environmental health , pathology , economics , biology
Abstract The clinical features of postpartum depression and depression occurring outside of the postpartum period have rarely been compared. The 16‐item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology‐Self‐Report (QIDS‐SR 16 ) provides a means to assess core depressive symptoms. Item response theory and classical test theory analyses were conducted to examine differences between postpartum ( n =95) and nonpostpartum ( n =50) women using the QIDS‐SR 16 . The two groups of females were matched on the basis of age. All met DSM‐IV criteria for nonpsychotic major depressive disorder. Low energy level and restlessness/agitation were major characteristics of depression in both groups. The nonpostpartum group reported more sad mood, more suicidal ideation, and more reduced interest. In contrast, for postpartum depression sad mood was less prominent, while psychomotor symptoms (restlessness/agitation) and impaired concentration/decision‐making were most prominent. These symptomatic differences between postpartum and other depressives suggest the need to include agitation/restlessness and impaired concentration/decision‐making among screening questions for postpartum depression. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–7, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.