C Hornstein1, P Trautmann-Villalba, E Hohm, E Rave, S Wortmann-Fleischer, M Schwarz. 1. Allgemeinpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie 1, Mutter-Kind Behandlung (Station 43), Psychiatrisches Zentrum Nordbaden, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberger Strasse 1a, 69168 Wiesloch. Christiane.Hornstein@PZN-Wiesloch.de
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.
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.
Authors: M Hofecker-Fallahpour; Ch Zinkernagel-Burri; B Stöckli; G Wüsten; R-D Stieglitz; A Riecher-Rössler Journal: Nervenarzt Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 1.214