ABSTRACT
Many research studies have attempted to unravel the complicated constellation of events leading to Postnatal Depression (PND). The often conflicting views on causation almost certainly reflect the fact that it is a heterogenous group of disorders, probably multifactorial in origin. The contributory causes can be classified under the following headings: socio-demographic: age, social class, life events, partner support etc.; obstetric/gynaecological; previous or recent obstetric or gynaecological events; personality factors: neuroticism, overdependency, anxious or depressive personality; psychiatric factors: previous psychiatric illness in the mother or in her family; previous premenstrual syndrome and 'blues'; biological factors: changes in hormones and neurotransmitters related to pregnancy and after; factors related to the infant: prematurity, ill health, fractious baby. The general consensus of opinion is that there is only a small increase in the incidence of depression in new mothers compared with women of similar age who are neither pregnant nor have had a baby within the previous 12 months.
