Perinatal mental illness Flashcards
What is the spectrum of postnatal depression?
Baby blues
Postnatal depression
Puerperal psychosis
What is baby blues?
Majority of women (over 50%) in first week or so after birth, esp first time mothers
What is postnatal depression?
1 in 10 women
Peaks around ten months after birth
What is puerpal psychosis and when does it start?
1 in 1000 women
Starts a few weeks after birth
Symptoms of baby blues
Mood swings
Low mood
Anxiety
Irritability
Tearfulness
Causes of baby blues
Significant hormonal changes
Recovery from birth
Fatigue and sleep deprivation
Responsibility of caring for neonate
Establishing feeding
All other changes and events around this time
Course of baby blues and management
Symptoms usually mild
Only last a few days and resolve within two weeks of delivery
No treatment required
What is the triad of postnatal depression?
Low mood
Anhedonia - lack of pleasure in activities
Low energy
When are women affected by postnatal depression?
3 months after birth. Need to experience for at least 2 weeks before diagnosed
When are women affected by postnatal depression?
3 months after birth. Need to experience for at least 2 weeks before diagnosed
Mild to severe cases of postnatal depression management
Mild - additional support, self-help and GP follwo
Mod - antidepressants and CBT
Severe - specialist psychiatry services - inpatient mother and baby unit
What is the scale used for postnatal depression and how used?
Edinburgh postnatal depression scale
Screening tool
10 qs, max of 30 points
>10 = postnatal depression
Symptoms of puerpal psychosis
Delusions
Hallucinations
Depression
Mania
Confusion
Thought disorder
Risk factors for puerpal psychosis
FH of mental health problems, esp pp psychosis
Diagnosis bipolar or schizophrenia
Traumatic birth or pregnancy
Prev pp psychosis
Treatment for puerpal psychosis
Admission to mother and baby unit
CBT
Medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers)
ECT
