Perinatal Thymic DYsregulation: Characterization of Perinatal Mood Episodes

Plain-language summary

The perinatal period is recognized as a time of heightened psychological vulnerability. This research aims to improve the diagnosis and therapeutic management of mood episodes occurring during this time. It is integrated into routine clinical care and seeks to standardize the evaluation of criteria used to characterize mood episodes, while also exploring relevant contextual factors. Traditionally, clinical attention has focused on postnatal depression; however, increasing evidence highlights the presence of hypomanic symptoms-such as distractibility, reduced need for sleep, tachypsychia, and irritability-during the postpartum period. These symptoms may coexist with depressive features, resulting in complex clinical presentations that are often difficult to recognize and manage. Consequently, many cases go undiagnosed and untreated. Current research has largely concentrated on depressive episodes (perinatal depression), with less emphasis on manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes indicative of bipolar disorder. A systematic evaluation of hypomanic symptoms occurring alongside depressive symptoms in the postpartum period could refine clinical diagnosis and support more targeted and effective therapeutic interventions.

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