Is the perimenopause a time of increased risk of recurrence in women with a history of bipolar affective postpartum psychosis? A case series.
There is increasing awareness of the influence of female reproductive life events on the course of bipolar disorder. Here, we describe the case histories of 5 women diagnosed with postpartum psychosis who subsequently experienced major mood disorders in relation to the perimenopause. This case series suggests that (a) the perimenopause may be a time of increased risk for women who experienced postpartum bipolar episodes and (b) periods of hormonal change represent a major trigger for bipolar episodes in some women.
Robertson Blackmore
E
E
Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
Craddock
N
N
Walters
J
J
Jones
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause; D011618:Psychotic Disorders; D011644:Puerperal Disorders; D012008:Recurrence; D017584:Reproductive History; D012306:Risk; D006113:United Kingdom