PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN PREGNANCY AND THE POST-PARTUM PERIOD - ETIOLOGY, DESCRIPTION AND IMPACT, TREATMENT - REVIEW

Pregnancy and the first year after birth are special periods for the monitoring and treatment of mental illness. During these periods, numerous conditions are diagnosed including depressive disorders (11%), anxiety disorders (15%), bipolar disorders (20.1%) and psychotic disorders (0,1-0,2%). Of interest is the potential impact of psychiatric treatment on plans to have children and the need for treatment during pregnancy. Aims: To identify the factors enabling the psychiatrist, in collaboration with obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and psychologists, to take the risk of prescribing in pregnancy and the postpartum. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database with the search items identical to keywords. Results: Still many psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and the postpartum left unrecognized and undertreated, which might increase the risk of complications and development problems for foetus and infant due to medical and psychological factors. Mental disorders are the leading causes of maternal death which might be associated with stigma and fear, making it impossible to ask for professional help. Conclusions: The appropriate medical care for pregnant women and mothers with psychiatric disorders should include the whole service of medical professionals familiar with all the complexity and difficulty of mental disorders. The decision of treatment in such cases always has an impact not only on mothers but also on newborns.