Postpartum depresjon

Abstract

The time following childbirth has long been recognised as a period with high risk of depression. We have focused on non-psychotic postpartum depression. A Norwegian research from 2002 found that the prevalence of depression was higher in the non-postpartum women as compared with postpartum women. High scores on the life event scale, a history of depression and a poor relationship to the partner were associated with depression in both postpartum and non-postpartum women. When controlling for the identified risk factors of depression, the odds-ratio for depression in the postpartum period was 1,6 (95% CI: 1,0-2,6). There is, however, still little scientific evidence of postpartum period being a period with increased risk of non-psychotic depression. Postnatal depression has a significant impact on family life. It has an adverse impact on the course of infant cognitive and emotional developmental progress. There is some indication that men also experience depression after the birth of a child, and that paternal depression is linked to maternal depression. Psychoterapy, ECT and antidepressants are all effective treatments against postpartum depression. In worst case, hospitalisation can be necessary.