Postpartum mental syndromes.

Recent evidence suggests that parturition is a precipitating factor against a background of an inherited or acquired host constitution predisposing to emotional disorder. Postpartum mental illness is a spectrum of syndromes ranging from the fairly benign transient "blues" to more severe affective, organic or schizophreniform psychoses. Neuroendocrine factors may be the underlying etiologic agent. Treatment may involve support and reassurance, formal psychotherapy or psychotropic and somatic therapies.