Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Prevalence, onset and comorbidity of postpartum anxiety and depressive disorders

2008; Wiley; Volume: 118; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01264.x

1600-0447

Corinna Reck, K. Struben, Matthias Backenstraß, U. Stefenelli, Katja Reinig, Thomas Fuchs, Christof Sohn, C. Mundt,

Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

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.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.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.Because of the clinical relevance of PAD, controlled studies and specialized programmes for prevention and treatment are urgently required.