Association of Anxiety and Depression in Postpartum Period: a Hospital Based Evaluative Study

Background: Postpartum period is associated with higher rates for depression, blue and psychosis. Anxiety is also significant. These disorders may have serious implications in the cognitive development of the infant. Many symptoms of both disorders overlap with each other. There is relative lack of data in this area. We tried to estimate postpartum anxiety and depression in a group of women and tried to assess their correlation. Material & Method: 100 women were assessed for depression and anxiety using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, ICD-10 criteria. They were selected on random basis. Analytical statistical methods were utilized. Result: 18% and 15% depression and anxiety were found respectively. Higher maternal age, parity, any post operative history correlated with it significantly. It was found that anxiety and depression are not associated significantly and are distinct categories. However 1% of variance of symptomatologies of depression can be explained by anxiety and 20% of variance of symptomatologies of anxiety can be addressed by that of depression. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are separate clinical conditions having significant prevalence in postpartum period. As anxiety, depression, psychosis all are increased in postpartum period a term ‘Postpartum mood disorder’ may be proposed. Using easy screening tools by the paramedical workers will help early detection of the cases and it will have long term effect on cognitive development of the infants.