Women's perinatal depression: Anhedonia-related symptoms have increased in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of perinatal depression increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be due to changes in the profile of specific depressive symptoms.Aims: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the (1) prevalence and severity of specific depressive symptoms; and on the (2) prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression during pregnancy and postpartum.Methods: Pregnant and postpartum women recruited before (n = 2395) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 1396) completed a sociodemographic and obstetric questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). For each item, scores & GE;1 and & GE; 2 were used to calculate the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms, respectively.Results: The prevalence and severity of symptoms of depression were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of specific symptoms increased by >30%, namely being able to laugh and see the funny side of things (pregnancy 32.6%, postpartum 40.6%), looking forward with enjoyment to things (pregnancy 37.2%, postpartum 47.2%); and feelings of sadness/miserable or unhappiness leading to crying during postpartum (34.2% and 30.2%, respectively). A substantial increase was observed in the severity of specific symptoms related to feelings that things have been getting on top of me during pregnancy and the postpartum period (19.4% and 31.6%, respectively); feeling sad or miserable during pregnancy (10.8%); and feeling scared/panicky during postpartum (21.4%).Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to anhedonia-related symptoms of perinatal depression to ensure that they are adequately managed in present and future situations of crisis.