Reflections on the notion of post-natal depression following examination of the scoring pattern of women on the EPDS during pregnancy and in the post-natal period.
The scoring pattern of case-positive women on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was explored over the antenatal and post-natal period. Individual analysis of EPDS scores over the antenatal and post-natal period revealed a picture of depressive symptom reporting inconsistent with the notion of a distinct and separate entity of post-natal depression. A fundamental assumption that post-natal depression has a typical pattern of comparatively higher post-natal depressive symptomology may be illusory when individual symptom profiles are explored.
Jomeen
J
J
Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
Martin
C R
CR
D001294:Attitude to Health; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires