Postpartum psychiatric disorders: Early diagnosis and management

Abstract

Postpartum period is demanding period characterized by overwhelming biological, physical, social, and emotional changes. It requires significant personal and interpersonal adaptation, especially in case of primigravida. Pregnant women and their families have lots of aspirations from the postpartum period, which is colored by the joyful arrival of a new baby. Unfortunately, women in the postpartum period can be vulnerable to a range of psychiatric disorders like postpartum blues, depression, and psychosis. Perinatal mental illness is largely under-diagnosed and can have far reaching ramifications for both the mother and the infant. Early screening, diagnosis, and management are very important and must be considered as mandatory part of postpartum care.

Postpartum depression and associated factors among postpartum women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2020

“…The postpartum period is recognized as a high-risk period for the development of various mood disorders which include postpartum blue, major depression, and postpartum psychosis [ 1 ]. According to the standard diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5), postpartum depression (PPD) is one type of depressive disorder that occurs during pregnancy or within 4 weeks after childbirth [ 2 , 3 ]. The International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) also recognizes postpartum depression as syndromes associated with pregnancy or the puerperium that involve significant mental and behavioral features.…”

Nursing Care for Women With Postpartum Blues: A Literature Review

“…Among the factors associated with puerperal Blues are the relationship of low quality with the partner, because it can negatively affect the emotional condition of the mother, as well as the lack of social support, the low level of self-realization, the perception of lack of support and Specific instructions in the puerperal period to care for the newborn and to deal with emotional issues and the low quality of sleep predispose the development of this condition. Another factor evidenced in the literature is the neuroticism, a trait of personality associated with the risk of postpartum sadness, which makes the woman little adaptable and emotionally unstable and shows a generalized tendency to feel negative emotions 11 . During the home visits and post-natal consultations performed by the nurse is essential to evaluate the status of the relationship, social support, sleep quality and personality traits in postpartum women to detect possible mental disorders 12,13 .…”

Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum: a prospective cohort study

“…[9][10][11] The negative effects of PPD include poor self-care, malnutrition, noncompliance with prenatal care, higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use, 11,12 pregnancy-related complications such as early gestational age at birth and low birth weight, 13,14 impaired mother-infant attachment, 14,15 lower rates of breastfeeding, marital discord, and poor parenting. 11,12 However, PPD is still considered as one of the health problem which remains underdiagnosed and untreated in many countries, 7,16 possibly because the postpartum period in which PPD symptoms arise marks a time away from healthcare personnel at the new mother's home. Many women may be unaware of symptoms of PPD or feel guilty of having depressive feelings at a time when they believe that they should be happy, and consequently, they may tend to conceal those symptoms.…”