FOCUS

Psychiatric illness can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Not only will the mother feel distressed but also these illnesses can cause direct and indirect harm to the baby as well as create long-term negative consequences

The postpartum period is a time of increased vulnerability for depression in women. Women with a prior psychiatric history are at increased risk for postpartum depression. Other risk factors include psychological, social, and biological contributions.

The menopausal transition is often marked by physical symptoms (e.g., vasomotor and sexual) and is sometimes accompanied by emotional changes that follow the decline in ovarian functioning. Although the absolute majority of women experience a smooth transition into postmenopausal years, this period in a woman's life has been associated, in some cases, with higher risk to develop depressive symptoms.