Prevalence, onset and comorbidity of postpartum anxiety and depressive disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The study presents data on the 3-month prevalences of postpartum anxiety disorders (PAD) and postpartum depressive disorders (PDD) and their comorbidity in a German community sample. Associations with sociodemographic variables and previous history of psychopathology were analysed.


METHODS
Data were gathered in a longitudinal study over the first 3 months postpartum. In a two-stage screening procedure, a population-based representative sample of 1024 postpartum women was assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression using DSM-IV-based screening instruments.


RESULTS
The estimated rates of DSM-IV disorders were 11.1% for PAD and 6.1% for PDD. Comorbidity was found in 2.1%. The rate for PAD with postpartum onset was 2.2% and for PDD 4.6%. Young mothers and mothers with a low education level had a heightened risk of developing depression following delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the clinical relevance of PAD, controlled studies and specialized programmes for prevention and treatment are urgently required.
Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg , Germany. corinna_reck@med.uni-heidelberg.de
C
C
Reck
K
K
Struben
M
M
Backenstrass
U
U
Stefenelli
K
K
Reinig
T
T
Fuchs
C
C
Sohn
C
C
Mundt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult