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Psychiatrist.com5 Minute Pearls: Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Marlene P. Freeman, MD, is an expert in women’s reproductive mental health, the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, and a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She provides ideas that are clinically applicable in this 5 Minute Pearls video.


As physicians, understanding the nuances of postpartum psychiatric disorders is crucial for effective patient care. Here are the key takeaways from Dr. Freeman’s insights:

  • “Postpartum blues,” characterized by transient mild sadness, is a normal condition affecting about 80% of women.
  • Postpartum depression can persist up to a year postpartum, necessitating close monitoring of mood changes.
  • Postpartum psychosis, a rare but significant condition, affects one in 1,000 women post-childbirth and often requires hospitalization.
  • Bipolar disorder is a critical consideration during pregnancy and postpartum, with women at an increased risk of relapse if they discontinue mood stabilizers.
  • The postpartum period is particularly vulnerable for the onset of severe mood episodes in women with bipolar disorder, including the risk of postpartum psychosis.
  • Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms are highly prevalent postpartum and require aggressive treatment.
  • Physicians should be aware of available resources for further information on postpartum psychiatric disorders.
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