[Interactional therapy program for mothers with postpartum mental disorders. First results of a pilot project]

Abstract

Background: The period around delivery frequently causes psychiatric diseases that may disturb maternal competence and influence bonding behaviour with the child. Until now only a few possibilities have existed for inpatient treatment and therapy for these problems. The therapy program developed in Wiesloch, Germany, is especially well suited to such patients.

Methods: Fifty-three mothers with postpartum disorders (33 depressive, 20 psychotic) were examined before and after therapy. Psychopathologic severity, psychosocial level of functioning, and parameters of the mother-child interaction were assessed and compared.

Results: Overall the results showed clear improvements in the assessed parameters at the end of treatment for both psychotic mothers and those with affective disorders.

Conclusion: The interactional treatment program for postpartum mental disorders leads to a significant reduction in psychic/psychiatric severity and the associated psychosocial impairment and disturbed mother-child interaction. Considerations of the effects of therapy were not possible due to the study design.