title: [Post-partum blues: a critical review of the literature].
abstract: The abundant literature dealing with the post partum blues has failed to describe a possible causing factor in these emotional and physical manifestations which are frequently observed in mothers during the first few days following delivery. The post partum blues has been considered as a promising model for depressive states but its function has never been clearly established. No agreement has been reached as to its physiological mechanism. Presently there is a renewed interest for the "third day blues" in relation to post-birth depression, which is known to be frequent, and to the early interactions. The authors present a review of the literature and emphasize the necessity to approach this issue from a new standpoint and with new conceptual and measurement tools. The role of post partum blues could well be, through a biological process involving the dopamine, to facilitate the establishment of early mother-infant bonds by provoking a decrease in blunted affect.
authors.affiliation: Hôpitaux de Paris.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guedeney
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bungener
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Widlöcher
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D015984:Causality; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D004298:Dopamine
vernacular_title: Le post-partum blues: une revue critique de la littérature.