The course of anxiety and depression through pregnancy and the postpartum in a community sample.
BACKGROUND
Postnatal and antenatal depression are a focus of considerable clinical and research attention, but little is known about the patterns of anxiety across this period.


METHODS
Self-reported anxiety and depression were assessed at 18 and 32 weeks gestation and 8 weeks and 8 months postnatally in a prospective longitudinal study of a community sample of women in England (n=8323).


RESULTS
The majority of cases of postnatal depression were preceded by antenatal depression; similarly, postnatal anxiety was preceded by antenatal anxiety. Despite the stability of anxiety and depression across this period, there was a mean decrease in both anxiety and depression. Finally, antenatal anxiety predicted postnatal depression at 8 weeks and 8 months, even after controlling for antenatal depression (OR=3.22, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Data were based on self-report only and there was evidence of selective attrition.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirm that antenatal anxiety occurs frequently, overlaps with depression and increases the likelihood of postnatal depression.
Heron
Jonathan
J
University of Bristol, UK.
O'Connor
Thomas G
TG
Evans
Jonathan
J
Golding
Jean
J
Glover
Vivette
V
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires