Peripartum depression (PPD) is an episode of depression that begins either during pregnancy or following delivery. The technical psychiatric term for PPD in American psychiatry, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is a depressive episode “with peripartum onset”, i.e., one which began during pregnancy (antepartum) or within 4 weeks of delivery (post-partum). The depressive episode may be an episode of major depression, of dysthymia, or of unspecified depressive disorder.[1] However, other definitions of PPD allow for onset up to one year following delivery.[2] Roughly 1 in 10 to 1 in 5 new birthing parents experience PPD, with higher rates in adolescents.[3][4] Globally, the number may be closer to 1 in 4.[2] It’s also possible for a non-birthing parent (such as a father) to experience PPD.[5][6] PPD is different from the “baby blues,” which are a normal occurrence that affects the majority of new birthing parents.
References
- ^American Psychiatric AssociationDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed, pp. 162, 169, 186(2013)
- ^Al-Abri K, Edge D, Armitage CJPrevalence and correlates of perinatal depression.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol.(2023-Jan-16)
- ^Peripartum and Postpartum Depression: PsychDB(Februrary 2021)
- ^Torres,FWhat Is Peripartum Depression (formerly Postpartum): Psychiatry.org(Oct 2020)
- ^Varma, SExpert Q&A on Peripartum Depression: Psychiatry.org
- ^Iwata H, Mori E, Maehara K, Kimura K, Toyama F, Kakehashi A, Seki M, Abe S, Kosaka MPreventive interventions for paternal perinatal depression: a scoping review protocol.BMJ Open.(2023-Mar-08)