Reflections on the notion of post-natal depression following examination of the scoring pattern of women on the EPDS during pregnancy and in the post-natal period

J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2008 Oct;15(8):645-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2008.01282.x.

Abstract

The scoring pattern of case-positive women on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was explored over the antenatal and post-natal period. Individual analysis of EPDS scores over the antenatal and post-natal period revealed a picture of depressive symptom reporting inconsistent with the notion of a distinct and separate entity of post-natal depression. A fundamental assumption that post-natal depression has a typical pattern of comparatively higher post-natal depressive symptomology may be illusory when individual symptom profiles are explored.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis*
  • Depression, Postpartum / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Scotland
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires