Differentiation and clinical implications of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are serious mood disorders encountered by nurses working in a variety of settings. Postpartum depression refers to a nonpsychotic depressive episode, while postpartum psychosis refers to a manic or affective psychotic episode linked temporally with childbirth. The nursing profession plays a crucial role in the early identification and treatment of these postpartum mood disorders. This article explains the classification, clinical presentation, epidemiology, management, and long-term outcomes of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
Doucet
Shelley
S
University of New Brunswick, Department of Nursing, P.O. Box 5050, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada. shelley.doucet@unb.ca
Dennis
Cindy-Lee
CL
Letourneau
Nicole
N
Blackmore
Emma Robertson
ER
D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors