title: Beyond the baby blues: perspectives of women diagnosed with a mood disorder on children, pregnancy and medication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the views of women diagnosed with a mood disorder about children, medication and pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female patients from the Black Dog Institute were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their views about pregnancy, children and medication during pregnancy. Diagnostic groupings were derived by assessing DSM-IV criteria for mood disorders. Unipolar and bipolar patient responses were analysed to determine any differences between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with bipolar disorder were more concerned than those with a unipolar condition about the impact pregnancy would have on their mood, as well as the potential for their offspring to inherit a mood condition. Both groups of women expressed concerns regarding the child-rearing environment, and stated that knowing the risk their child could have of developing a mood disorder would encourage them to be more vigilant parents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While both groups were concerned about the environment in which they would raise their child and wanted to be vigilant parents, women diagnosed with a bipolar condition expressed stronger opinions regarding the impact that their pregnancy could have on their mood disorder, and passing the mood disorder onto their children.
authors: University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. amelia.paterson@unsw.edu.au
authors: Amelia
authors: A
authors: Paterson
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Parker
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Fletcher
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Graham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy