An increasing number of studies are using yoga as an adjunctive or primary treatment for a variety of psychiatric symptoms, most commonly depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Â A new study, published online in Schizophrenia Research, [...]
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric illness, occurring in about 1 to 2 per 1000 women after delivery. Because postpartum psychosis carries significant risks for both the mother and her child, most women with this illness are psychiatrically hospitalized. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for postpartum psychosis and may reduce the risks associated with medication exposure in the nursing infant; however, very few research studies have focused on the use of ECT in this setting and it is less commonly used in the United States than in other countries. A recent study explores the safety and advantages of ECT for the treatment of women hospitalized for postpartum psychosis.
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are devastating disorders that usually require chronic care and impact individuals and their family members greatly in terms of morbidity and mortality. Research has helped to identify those who may be at greatest risk for developing psychotic disorders. Strategies to prevent psychotic disorders would alleviate suffering and have great public health significance.
Postpartum psychosis occurs in about 1 to 2 per 1000 women after delivery. While there appears to be a strong link between postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder, it is estimated that about half of women who present with postpartum psychosis have no psychiatric history prior to delivery, making it difficult to identify those women who are at greatest risk for this illness.  A recent study, using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry, has examined possible risk factors that may be used to identify women at risk for postpartum psychosis.
