ABSTRACT
MOOD DISORDERS IN PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM Definitions and Epidemiology Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a syndrome characterized by sustained depressed mood or loss of interest in daily activities along with “neurovegetative symptoms” of depression, which include a decrease or increase in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation or agitation, and decreased energy. Other symptoms of MDD include feelings of worthlessness or guilt, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities (or anhedonia), difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation [1]. Women have approximately twice the lifetime rate of depression as men [2]. In women, the highest rates of major depression occur during the childbearing years between the ages of 25 to 44. Depression is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and in the postpartum period [3]. Up to 70% of pregnant women report symptoms of depression during their pregnancy with 10% to 16% fulfilling the criteria for major depression [4,5]. There is a high rate of psychiatric illness in mothers after childbirth. This may be attributable to hormonal factors but also can be associated with psychological stress and prior psychiatric illness [6,7].
