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A Follow-up Study of Severe Puerperal Psychiatric Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Lalitha Da Silva  and
Eve C. Johnstone
Lalitha Da Silva
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, London SW17 and St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey; Northwick Park Hospital and Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, Harrow
Eve C. Johnstone
Affiliation:
Northwick Park Hospital and Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, Harrow
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Summary

The outcome in clinical and social terms of a psychiatric illness arising within 1 year of confinement or termination of pregnancy and requiring on-going care was studied after a period of 1–6 years in 47 women. The outcome was related to the earlier features of the illness and to personal and historical features. Social impairment and continuing psychopathology occurred in many cases. The only factor which significantly related to poor outcome was an initial diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 139 , Issue 4 , October 1981 , pp. 346 - 354
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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