Premium
Prevalence, onset and comorbidity of postpartum anxiety and depressive disorders
Author(s) -
Reck C.,
Struben K.,
Backenstrass M.,
Stefenelli U.,
Reinig K.,
Fuchs T.,
Sohn C.,
Mundt C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01264.x
Subject(s) - comorbidity , anxiety , psychopathology , postpartum depression , psychiatry , national comorbidity survey , depression (economics) , medicine , anxiety disorder , postpartum period , population , clinical psychology , pregnancy , genetics , macroeconomics , environmental health , economics , biology
Objective: The study presents data on the 3‐month prevalences of postpartum anxiety disorders (PAD) and postpartum depressive disorders (PDD) and their comorbidity in a German community sample. Associations with sociodemographic variables and previous history of psychopathology were analysed. Method: Data were gathered in a longitudinal study over the first 3 months postpartum. In a two‐stage screening procedure, a population‐based representative sample of 1024 postpartum women was assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression using DSM‐IV‐based screening instruments. Results: The estimated rates of DSM‐IV disorders were 11.1% for PAD and 6.1% for PDD. Comorbidity was found in 2.1%. The rate for PAD with postpartum onset was 2.2% and for PDD 4.6%. Young mothers and mothers with a low education level had a heightened risk of developing depression following delivery. Conclusion: Because of the clinical relevance of PAD, controlled studies and specialized programmes for prevention and treatment are urgently required.