Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: The postpartum period is a critical phase marked by significant biological, psychological, and social changes that predispose women to psychiatric co-morbidities. Despite the high burden of postpartum psychiatric disorders, they often remain under diagnosed and untreated, particularly in developing countries like India. Social support is a crucial protective factor influencing maternal mental health outcomes. Study aims to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities in postpartum women and assess the association between social support and co-morbidities. 
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Barabanki, India, over one year(Jan2024-Jan2025). A total of 100 postpartum women were assessed. Psychiatric diagnosis were made using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) 7.0.2(DSM-5), and perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected using a semi-structured proforma. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and t-test.
Results: Psychiatric diagnosis were identified in 39% of participants. Postpartum depression was present in 17%, Generalized Anxiety Disorder in 14%, and both Bipolar Affective Disorder and Psychosis in 4% each. Half of the women reported high social support, while 36% had low support. Psychiatric morbidity was significantly more prevalent in women with low support (52.8%) than those with high support (14%) (p< 0.001). Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) scores were significantly lower in women with psychiatric morbidity (41.64±21.20) compared to those without (58.92±24.04) any psychiatric morbidity. 
Conclusion: Postpartum psychiatric co-morbidities are common and often under-diagnosed. Social support plays a crucial protective role in mitigating psychiatric morbidity, particularly Postpartum depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.