Author/Authors :
Erdem, Özgür Aile Sağlığı Merkezi, Türkiye , Bucaktepe, P. Gamze Erten
Abstract :
Postpartum Depression is the most common complication of the delivery and affects approximately 10%-15% of women who had just gave birth. During a period in which women believe that they should be happy, the depressive mood experienced by most women leads to feelings of guilt, hiding the symptoms, and postpartum depression to be overlooked. Although the incidence of serious psychiatric disorders during pregnancy is low, it is reported that the incidence shows a dramatic increase during the postpartum period and this risky period may continue up to six months, one year or even two years. As the onset of postpartum depression is insidious it can easily be overlooked if the patient’s seeking help is not supported, especially when the severity of postpartum depression is mild or moderate. In these cases, postpartum depression may persist for a long time and at last it can be so severe that hospitalization would be needed. Therefore, early diagnose is very important and primary care physicians and other health care workers should be alert. Postpartum Depression should be diagnosed using reliable descriptive methods in puerperant women. The scales such as Postnatal Depression Screening Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, all of which were tested for validity and reliability in our country can be used during follow-up of pregnant and puerperal women.
