Postnatal depression: a few simple questions.

Abstract

The rate of past and family psychiatric history was ascertained in 254 women diagnosed with postnatal depression. Probands and first-degree relatives were interviewed to establish lifetime and current major psychiatric diagnoses. 78.3% of the women studied had a past and/or family psychiatric history. These data confirm the importance of these variables when screening women who may be at risk for postnatal depression.