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Erschienen in: Archives of Women's Mental Health 2/2011

01.04.2011 | Review Article

Interventions for the prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis: a systematic review

verfasst von: Shelley Doucet, Ian Jones, Nicole Letourneau, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Emma Robertson Blackmore

Erschienen in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Ausgabe 2/2011

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Abstract

Postpartum psychosis is a serious disorder that can cause negative consequences for the mother, infant, and entire family. While reports of this condition date back for centuries, little is known about what interventions are most effective for this population. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the research evidence on interventions for the prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis. Studies were searched using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases. All primary research studies published in English since 1970 that explored interventions for the prevention or treatment of postpartum psychosis were included. The search resulted in 26 studies on interventions for postpartum psychosis, with 10 focusing on prevention and 17 focusing on treatment. Studies on the prevention of postpartum psychosis have examined the effects of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and hormone therapy, while those examining treatment have included electroconvulsive therapy, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, hormones, and the beta blocker propranolol. Only preliminary evidence suggests which interventions may be effective strategies to prevent (e.g., lithium) and treat (e.g., electroconvulsive therapy) postpartum psychosis. Due to methodological limitations in the studies reviewed, extensive evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis cannot be made. The known risk factors and negative consequences of postpartum psychosis point to the importance of preventative and acute treatment measures. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to determine the efficacy of prevention and treatment interventions for women who experience postpartum psychosis.
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Metadaten
Titel
Interventions for the prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis: a systematic review
verfasst von
Shelley Doucet
Ian Jones
Nicole Letourneau
Cindy-Lee Dennis
Emma Robertson Blackmore
Publikationsdatum
01.04.2011
Verlag
Springer Vienna
Erschienen in
Archives of Women's Mental Health / Ausgabe 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Elektronische ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-010-0199-6

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