Who is at risk of perinatal mental illness?

Social risk factors:


  • Socio-economic status

  • Exposure to trauma, negative life events and stress

  • Domestic violence

  • Migration status

  • Relationship and social support

  • Reproductive intention

Psychological risk factors:


  • Personality traits: high neuroticism

  • Prior psychopathology: depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance misuse

Biological risk factors:


  • Age

  • Genetic and hormonal susceptibility

  • Chronic diseases

  • Medical illness

  • Pregnancy complications

References


Howard et al Lancet series on Perinatal Mental Health (2014) Non-psychotic mental disorders in the perinatal period.

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