POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS - DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES

Mood disturbance occurs commonly during the postpartum period. The sym ptoms may be transient and relatively mild (as in postpartum blues) or may be associated with significant impairment of functioning (as in p ostpartum depression and puerperal psychosis). Despite the prevalence of postpartum mood disorders, depressive symptoms that emerge during t he puerperium are often overlooked. Puerperal affective illness places the mother at risk for the development of recurrent depression and ha s also been associated with significant long-term effects on child dev elopment and behavior. Therefore, the prompt recognition and efficacio us treatment of puerperal mood disorders are essential in order to avo id adverse outcomes for both mother and infant. This article discusses the evaluation of postpartum mood disturbance and offers guidelines f or the treatment of affective illness during the puerperium.