Epidemiology Of Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression, also known as postnatal depression, is a form of depression that occurs in the days, weeks or months after childbirth. It can have profound effects on parents, infants and wider family. The prevalence of postnatal depression has been estimated in recently delivered women at between 10 and 15 percent internationally, though far fewer women than this receive treatment. Identifying postnatal depression is a key concern for maternal healthcare professionals. Depression, as a mental health disorder, is defined as persistent feelings of sadness that interfere with daily functioning. Depression is a continuum of mood disorders that include major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder. A related disorder, biopolar disorder, includes extreme mood swings that cycle from depressive to maniac states. Females outnumber males in major depressive disorders at a ratio of 2:1 during a woman’s childbearing years. However, both prior to puberty and after menopause, rates of depressive disorders between males and females are similar.Epidemiology Of Postnatal Depression