[Psychotic women and their children]

Abstract

Objective: The study collected information on the situation of children of psychotic mothers.

Methods: Case reports of a total of 279 female patients with schizophrenia or puerperal psychosis were analysed retrospectively.

Results: 128 of these patients gave birth to 218 children. Approximately 80% of the children grew up with their families, and only 8% had to be transferred to foster families or foster homes. Two case vignettes illustrate child care problems in a community psychiatric setting.

Conclusions: Child care is exercised even in families where mothers suffer from psychotic illness. However, many of these mothers do not receive the help they require.