BACKGROUND: This study examines whether women who become depressed at one reproductive cycle event, e.g., postpartum, are likely to become depressed at other such events. METHOD: Seventy-two women in treatment for major depression were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing mood at 4 different reproductive cycle events, i.e., while premenstrual, taking oral contraceptives, postpartum, or perimenopausal. All diagnoses were made using DSM-III-R criteria. Rank-order correlations (r) were determined between mood ratings for different reproductive cycle event pairs. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between premenstrual and perimenopausal mood ratings (r = 0.41) and between postpartum and perimenopausal mood ratings (r = 0.64). Development of severe depression during the latter 2 events was strongly correlated (r = 0.87). Women who developed severe depression during at least 2 reproductive cycle events were more likely to have bipolar disorder, a family psychiatric history, and a younger age at onset. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may be a unique subgroup of women who are vulnerable to depression at reproductive cycle events.
BACKGROUND: This study examines whether women who become depressed at one reproductive cycle event, e.g., postpartum, are likely to become depressed at other such events. METHOD: Seventy-two women in treatment for major depression were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing mood at 4 different reproductive cycle events, i.e., while premenstrual, taking oral contraceptives, postpartum, or perimenopausal. All diagnoses were made using DSM-III-R criteria. Rank-order correlations (r) were determined between mood ratings for different reproductive cycle event pairs. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between premenstrual and perimenopausal mood ratings (r = 0.41) and between postpartum and perimenopausal mood ratings (r = 0.64). Development of severe depression during the latter 2 events was strongly correlated (r = 0.87). Women who developed severe depression during at least 2 reproductive cycle events were more likely to have bipolar disorder, a family psychiatric history, and a younger age at onset. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may be a unique subgroup of women who are vulnerable to depression at reproductive cycle events.
Authors: M M Weissman; R C Bland; G J Canino; C Faravelli; S Greenwald; H G Hwu; P R Joyce; E G Karam; C K Lee; J Lellouch; J P Lépine; S C Newman; M Rubio-Stipec; J E Wells; P J Wickramaratne; H Wittchen; E K Yeh Journal: JAMA Date: 1996 Jul 24-31 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Jung Jin Kim; Chi Un Pae; Mi Ran Kim; Jung Ah Min; Kyung Hee Kim; Chang Uk Lee; Chul Lee; In Ho Paik Journal: Psychiatry Investig Date: 2010-08-13 Impact factor: 2.505