Associated symptoms of depression: patterns of change during pregnancy

Abstract

Little is known about the natural course of depressive symptoms and associated features throughout pregnancy. We examined the course of some psychological and somatic symptoms in each month of pregnancy in a normative sample. A consecutive, unselected sample of women (N = 374) were interviewed retrospectively at 6 weeks postpartum with the Structured Clinical Interview (DSM-IV). Women were asked whether they had experienced each symptom at any time during pregnancy and the occurrence of the symptom for each month of pregnancy. Associated symptoms of depression showed complex changes across pregnancy. Depressed mood (F(df) = 5.15(1); p = 0.02) showed a quadratic pattern with elevations at the beginning and end of pregnancy. Both linear increases ( a ) and quadratic ( b ) changes over time were observed for sensitivity to criticism (F a (df) = 20.9(1), p a = 0.00; F b (df) = 7.02(1), p b = 0.00), lack of concentration (F a (df) = 37.0(1), p a = 0.00; F b (df) = 10.3(1); p b = 0.00), decreased energy (F a (df) = 13.4(1); p a = 0.00; F b (df) = 62.6(1); p b = 0.00) and feelings of heavy limbs (F a (df) = 92.9(1); p a = 0.00; F b (df) = 67.7(1); p b = 0.00). Only guilt (F(df) = 0.00(1); p = 0.93) showed no significant change over pregnancy. Psychological symptoms changed throughout pregnancy as much as somatic symptoms. A linear increase was found for most symptoms, but significant non-linear changes were also found. The discrepancy between the patterns of depressed mood and most somatic and psychological symptoms suggest complex interactions and potentially important implications for assessment and monitoring treatment.

Network Analyses of Maternal Pre- and Post-Partum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

“…There were qualitative differences in core depressive-anxiety symptoms across the peripartum periods as demonstrated in the change of the top central symptoms. This finding adds to the evidence from other studies reporting differences in pre- and post-partum depression profiles with the structured clinical interview ( 81 , 82 ). During pregnancy, the cognitive-affective symptoms were more central.…”

Information about first‐trimester screening and self‐reported distress among pregnant women and partners – comparing two methods of information giving in Sweden

“…Higher rates of psychological distress among the pregnant women than among their partners have been observed in a previous study . However, it was unexpected that the rates of psychological distress in most of the subscales did not decrease after the information was given among the pregnant women, as previous studies have indicated that the rate of psychological distress is somewhat lower in the middle of the pregnancy . Hypothetically, the result in the present study is related to the higher demands and ideals of pregnant women in Sweden.…”

“…Pregnancy is an overwhelming period for many women, characterized by feelings of excitement but also feelings of worry . Worry is a milder form of psychosocial distress and is most common during the beginning stages of pregnancy (when the risk of miscarriage is increased) and in the end of pregnancy (close to childbirth) . Some women get more serious forms of psychosocial distress during pregnancy; in Sweden, about 14% of the pregnant population are diagnosed with depression .…”

Neuroserpin, IL-33 and IL-17A as potential markers of mild symptoms of depressive syndrome in Toxoplasma gondii-infected pregnant women

“…However, no one volunteer subject was diagnosed with anaemia in this present study, according to the hemogram. Despite this being the case after the first pregnancy, 10-15% of women experience mild, moderate, or severe anxiety and depressive symptoms, including feelings of guilt and a lack of appetite and energy to move forward (33). In pregnant women with DS, high plasma levels of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1b, IL-1, and IL-6, have been observed (34,35).…”