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Detection of Postnatal Depression

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Motherhood and Postnatal Depression

Abstract

This chapter examines the medical model’s classification of postnatal depression (PND) in relation to screening and diagnosis, as it has been the dominant model in the management of PND. However, the biomedical model’s understanding of PND only partially explains the illness. In the first section, we explore the emergence of the biomedical model’s DSM criteria used to diagnose women with PND. It is important to include a historical perspective of the DSM as it provides a platform to understanding the development of PND as a distinct diagnostic category of mental illness. We discuss the benefits and limitations of using the DSM-IV-TR for the diagnosis of PND. Using the DSM-IV-TR for diagnosis ignores the psychosocial stressors affecting an individual’s emotional well-being, particularly if it is not followed up with a clinical interview. Other mood disorders will be discussed that are commonly confused with PND.

In the second section, we critically discuss three different screening tools used to identify women with depression – the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is the most commonly used screening tool used to detect PND, and hence will be explored in detail. We argue that while screening tools are valuable for detecting depressive symptoms, there are also limitations if women are not followed up with a clinical interview to differentiate the presence of depressive symptoms from normal symptoms occurring in the postpartum period, such as sleep deprivation and fatigue. In the third section, we discuss the benefit of interviewing women as an important step following the screening process. The clinical interview provides an opportunity for women to discuss the psychosocial factors that impact on their emotional well-being. Health professionals can use the clinical interview to focus on the individual’s problems or symptoms, and may assist them to resolve their identified issues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peace of Mind Parenting Support, 3126, Eltham, Victoria, Australia

    Carolyn Westall

  2. School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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  1. Carolyn Westall
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  2. Pranee Liamputtong
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Correspondence to Carolyn Westall .

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Westall, C., Liamputtong, P. (2011). Detection of Postnatal Depression. In: Motherhood and Postnatal Depression. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1694-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1694-0_2

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