Abstract
We examine the prevalence of hypomania on day 3 postpartum using two self-report mania scales: The Highs Scale and Altman Mania Rating Scale (AMRS). 279 women were recruited from postnatal wards and completed the questionnaires on day 3 postpartum. The scales show good correlation, however, 11% of women meet the suggested threshold for caseness on the Highs Scale and 44% on the AMRS. Hypomanic symptoms are commonly experienced in the early postpartum. Although there is some evidence that the Highs Scale might be conservative, the AMRS likely overestimates hypomania in the postpartum. The definition of what constitutes ‘a case’ of postnatal hypomania requires further validation against clinical interview and ability to predict variables of clinical importance. Mania scales developed in bipolar disorder populations must be specifically validated for postpartum use.
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Acknowledgements
This work was funded by a University of Birmingham Medical School student research grant. Jessica Heron is supported by a Research Support Facility Fellowship and the Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. We would like to thank: the women that agreed to take part in this study; staff at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital; Roger Holder and Katherine Gordon-Smith for additional statistical advice; Damon Harris and Carly Cooper for providing IT and data support.
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Smith, S., Heron, J., Haque, S. et al. Measuring hypomania in the postpartum: a comparison of the Highs Scale and the Altman Mania Rating Scale. Arch Womens Ment Health 12, 323–327 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0076-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0076-3