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A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, J; Robertson, E
Published in: Acta Psychiatr Scand
May 1985

Eighty-two patients, who were treated for post partum illness between 1946 and 1971, were identified and followed up. Diagnostically, the sample comprised unipolar depression (52%), bipolar disorder (18%), schizophrenia (16%), abnormal personality with depression (8%), organic disorder (2%), and obsessional state with depression and paranoid disorder (1% each). The overall prognosis was good, except for schizophrenia, in which more than 50% of patients had chronic disability. Further childbirth intensified, and caused deterioration of, the underlying schizophrenia process. Following an initial illness in the puerperium, the probability of a recurrent affective illness was 43% for unipolar and 66% for bipolar disorder. The risk of developing another post partum illness varied from 1 in 3 to 1 in 5 pregnancies. Five percent of the sample ultimately committed suicide, and the probable incidence of infanticide was 4%.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Acta Psychiatr Scand

DOI

ISSN

0001-690X

Publication Date

May 1985

Volume

71

Issue

5

Start / End Page

451 / 457

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Recurrence
  • Puerperal Disorders
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Pregnancy
  • Personality Disorders
  • Paranoid Disorders
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Neurocognitive Disorders
 

Citation

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Davidson, J., & Robertson, E. (1985). A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978. Acta Psychiatr Scand, 71(5), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1985.tb05057.x
Davidson, J., and E. Robertson. “A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978.Acta Psychiatr Scand 71, no. 5 (May 1985): 451–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1985.tb05057.x.
Davidson J, Robertson E. A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1985 May;71(5):451–7.
Davidson, J., and E. Robertson. “A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978.Acta Psychiatr Scand, vol. 71, no. 5, May 1985, pp. 451–57. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1985.tb05057.x.
Davidson J, Robertson E. A follow-up study of post partum illness, 1946-1978. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1985 May;71(5):451–457.
Journal cover image

Published In

Acta Psychiatr Scand

DOI

ISSN

0001-690X

Publication Date

May 1985

Volume

71

Issue

5

Start / End Page

451 / 457

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Recurrence
  • Puerperal Disorders
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Psychiatry
  • Pregnancy
  • Personality Disorders
  • Paranoid Disorders
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Neurocognitive Disorders