Archives of women's mental health
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Arch Womens Ment Health · Jun 2013
Review Meta AnalysisPre-conception to parenting: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature on motherhood for women with severe mental illness.
The majority of women with a severe mental illness (SMI) become pregnant and have children. The aim of this systematic review and meta-synthesis was to examine the qualitative research on the experiences of motherhood in women with SMI from preconception decision making to being a mother. The experiences of the health professionals treating women with SMI were also reviewed. ⋯ Sub-themes included the following: Guilt, Coping with Dual Identities, Stigma, and Centrality of Motherhood. Four themes emerged from the synthesis of the eight papers reporting the views of health professionals: Discomfort, Stigma, Need for education, and Integration of services. An understanding of the experiences of pregnancy and motherhood for women with SMI can inform service development and provision to ensure the needs of women and their families are met.
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This article highlights four areas of mental health affecting women in the reproductive age group which, in the author's opinion, are poorly dealt with in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV) (American Psychiatric Association 1994). These are depression occurring during pregnancy; childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder; disorders of parent-to-infant attachment and perinatal bereavement. It is suggested that, if these could be better addressed in the forthcoming DSM V, this would provide a very significant impetus for improved education of health professionals, as well as better recognition and earlier intervention in these disorders. As these are relatively common disorders, a very large number of women and their families would potentially benefit.
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Arch Womens Ment Health · Jun 2005
ReviewPrevalence of suicidality during pregnancy and the postpartum.
This review examined the available prevalence estimates of suicidality (suicide deaths, attempts, and ideation including thoughts of self harm) in pregnancy and the postpartum. Studies that used defined community or clinic samples were identified through multiple electronic databases and contacts with primary authors. ⋯ Self-harm ideation is more common than attempts or deaths, with thoughts of self-harm during pregnancy and the postpartum ranging from 5 to 14%. The risk for suicidality is significantly elevated among depressed women during the perinatal period, and suicide has been found to be the second or leading cause of death in this depressed population.