Prognosis of postpartum psychiatric disorders in a Turkish sample

Objective

The postpartum period represents a time of increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Postpartum depression is especially very common. Many aetiological risk factors have been reported for postpartum psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postpartum psychiatric disorders in a Turkish sample and discuss their course.

Methods

The files of 6000 inpatients who were admitted to Gazi University School of Medicine Psychiatry Department were evaluated retrospectively, and 67 patients were chosen whose psychiatric illness had began puerperally. These patients were grouped according to age of onset of the illness, number of episodes and the type of these episodes, their postpartum psychiatric diagnoses and illness prognosis.

Results

Of 6000 patients, 67 (1.11%) were diagnosed as having a postpartum psychiatric disorder: 56.7% (n=38) were diagnosed as having a postpartum psychotic disorder, while 35.8% (n=24) as having an affective disorder. Forty-seven patients (70.1%) received a diagnosis of major psychiatric disorder during their follow-up.

Conclusion

These results show that postpartum diagnoses may show a chronic course and cause a life-time psychiatric illness and therefore patients should be monitored carefully for psychotic symptoms even after the acute period is over.