POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS - CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES

Mood disorders are common in women. A prepregnancy personal history of mood disorder (bipolar or major depression), premenstrual syndrome, o r (possibly) postpartum blues places a woman at high risk for a postpa rtum exacerbation of symptoms. Untreated or unrecognized postpartum mo od disorders can lead to serious psychologic and social consequences, in some cases even leading to suicide or infanticide. Women at risk fo r postpartum mood disorders need to be referred for psychiatric consul tation before pregnancy and parturition. Informed, professional collab oration offers the best opportunities for prevention, as well as the e arliest recognition and treatment of emergent symptoms.