The detection of emotional disorders in the post natal period by health visitors.

One hundred mothers of six week old babies were screened for emotional disorders using the general health questionnaire (GHQ). The effect on health visitors' client management was assessed over a nine month follow-up period, using a controlled trial approach. The findings indicate that screening for symptoms of minor psychiatric disorder at six weeks post partum would assist health visitors to give extra support to those mothers who are most in need of it.