Life stress and post-partum psychosis: a preliminary report.
This is a preliminary report from a prospective study of the influence of psychosocial stressors on post-natal relapse in women at high risk of psychiatric disorder after childbirth. Forty-three index subjects with a previous history of psychosis or severe depression were compared with 45 pregnant control subjects without any previous psychiatric disorder. After delivery 51% of index subjects relapsed (RDC diagnoses): 28% were categorised as psychotic and 23% non-psychotic. All psychotic relapses were in women with a previous history of bipolar or schizoaffective disorder (46% of this subgroup). Only the non-psychotic post-partum relapses (mostly depressions) were associated with an increased likelihood of a severe life event in the 12 months preceding illness onset.
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MN
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London.
Wieck
A
A
Checkley
S A
SA
Kumar
R
R
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors