Anxiety and Depressive Disorders among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 3227
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric morbidities in pregnancy and, in particular, after delivery. However, there are still errors and shortcomings among healthcare professionals in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of depression during pregnancy and in the postpartum stage, with resulting consequences and repercussions for the gestation itself or the fetus or neonate. These women have a poor quality of life, and they are more likely to smoke or use alcohol or other substances, which may worsen the pregnancy outcome or the need to breastfeed. Indeed, the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs during pregnancy and postpartum may constitute a potential risk to the fetus or neonate but are also a clear benefit for patients with depression already manifested during pregnancy or for those with a new onset of postpartum depression. Moreover, the abrupt discontinuation of antidepressants may be associated with relapses/recurrences. The art of medicine is exemplified by balancing the risks of untreated psychiatric disorders such as depressive symptoms during pregnancy or breastfeeding and the risks of adverse fetal or neonatal outcomes associated with exposure to antidepressants or anxiolytic medicines. Papers addressing these topics are invited to be submitted to this Special Issue, especially those combining a high level of academic experience in women’s mental health, in neonatal complications and in the use of drugs in pregnancy and lactation coupled with a practical focus on providing excellent management of the disease.
Dr. Georgios Eleftheriou
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- depression
- anxiety disorder
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- antidepressants
- anxiolytics
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