[Psychotherapy for postpartum depression with a focus on mother-infant interaction]

Abstract

In the treatment of mothers with postpartum depression, mother-infant interaction plays a central role. It is well known that babies are very sensitive to their mothers' emotional state. This sensitivity during the first months of life is fundamental to understanding the influence of maternal psychiatric disorders and especially of postpartum depression, as the most frequent, on children's development. The specific situation of young mothers requires adaptation of psychotherapeutic approaches to their needs. In connection with an overview of these issues, models of mother-infant treatment as well as evaluation studies are discussed. Finally, an integrated treatment approach for postpartum depression including mother-infant-centered interventions is presented.