Two overlooked mood disorders in women: subsyndromal depression and prenatal depression

The purpose of this article is to urge nurses to develop a heightened sense of awareness leading to enhanced assessment and treatment of two often overlooked types of mood disorders-subsyndromal depression and prenatal depression. These conditions demand attention because of their salience in women's lives. Subsyndromal depression is more widespread than major depression and has comparable negative sequelae. Prenatal depression reaches beyond the woman, impacting the life of her unborn child, possibly setting in motion a lifetime trajectory of affective, behavioral, and health problems.