title: Differentiation and clinical implications of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of New Brunswick, Department of Nursing, P.O. Box 5050, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada. shelley.doucet@unb.ca
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doucet
authors.forename: Cindy-Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letourneau
authors.forename: Emma Robertson
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Blackmore
mesh_terms: 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