[Postpartum psychoses]

Abstract

We have reviewed actual forms of postpartum psychoses from three clinical cases, hospitalized for six weeks in an open service. The frequency is declining and the clinical picture can be threefold: oniroidconfusional, pure affective and schizophreniform. The short term course and long term prognosis are generally good, with the exception of latent underlying psychosis. Nevertheless, there is a real risk for further pregnancies necessitating birth control. The etiology is multifactorial: heredo-constitutional factors, reactional, psychodynamic and somatic. The most difficult differential diagnosis is that of early schizophrenia or onset of manic-depression and often the ultimate course permits to assess the diagnosis. Treatment is with psychotropic drugs, electroconvulsive treatment and psychotherapy emphasizing the early mother-child relationship.