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.
Reck
C
C
Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg , Germany. corinna_reck@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Struben
K
K
Backenstrass
M
M
Stefenelli
U
U
Reinig
K
K
Fuchs
T
T
Sohn
C
C
Mundt
C
C
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