Perinatal Mental Health

Question 1

Define sensitivity

Answer 1

No. True positives / All those with disease

Question 2

Define specificity

Answer 2

No. True Negative/ All those without disease

Question 3

Discuss screening options for perinatal mental ill health

Answer 3

• Whooley questions
• GAD-2
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale

Question 4

Discuss proposed biochemical factors in the aetiology of perinatal depression/anxiety

Answer 4

• Monoamine theory of depression
• Unique fluxes in neuroendocrine system during pregnancy
• Effects of oestrogen and progesterone: Oestrogen and progesterone rise during pregnancy and then fall in the postpartum, oestrogen and progesterone receptors found in 5-HT producing areas of the brain
• Alterations in HPA Axis