4. Detection - Prediction
of Mental Disorder
Current Mental Disorder Potential Risk
Previous Treatments
Admission Consultations Medications
Past History of Mental
illness
( previous deliveries ?)
Examination
Mental State
( Thinking / Mood )
Psychological
Tests
( EPDS )
Regular Check Up
Past Family History
( previous deliveries ?)
Screening Questions
Loss of
interest
Feeling
down
Need Help
6. Management
Treating Current Mental Disorder
Planning for
pregnancy
Pregnancy
After
Delivery
Already
Diagnosed
Mental
Disorder
Developing
during any
Stage
10. Postpartum Psychiatric Illness
Characteristic SymptomsOnsetIncidence
Mood lability
Tearfulness
Insomnia
Anxiety
Within first
week
50 to 75%Postpartum
Blues
Depressed Mood
Excessive Anxiety
Insomnia
Usually
insidious, within
first two to
three months
10 to 15%Postpartum
Depression
Agitation and Irritability
Depressed Mood or
Euphoria
Delusions
Depersonalization
Disorganized Behavior
Usually within
first two to four
weeks
0.1 to
0.2%
Postpartum
Psychosis
11. Psychopharmacotherapy During
Pregnancy
General Rules
Written Plan of Management
Informed Consent
Medications
Switch to The safest Drug Monotherapy Minimal Effective dose
Gradual withdrawal before
delivery (BDZ, SSRIs )
Try to Avoid Medications in 1st Trimester
Follow Up Psychotherapy
Discuss with the patient
Risks
Benefits
Continuation
Discontinuation
Teratogenicity
Relapse
12. Psychopharmacotherapy During
Lactation
General Rules
Medications
Switch to The safest Drug Monotherapy Minimal Effective dose
Single dose before infant
longest sleep period
You shouldn’t discourage breast feeding
Schedule Feedings according to half life of the drug & its serum levels
Try to use non pharmacological interventions
Follow Up Psychotherapy
Discuss with the patient
Risks
Benefits
Continuation
Discontinuation
Possible effects of drugs on baby
Relapse
13. Antipsychotics
( Neuroleptics / Major Tranquilizers )
Mode of
Action
↓Dopamine
Major
Indications
Psychosis
Bipolar Mood
Disorder
Agitation
Types
Typical
1st Generation
Conventional
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Pimozide
Atypical
2nd Generation
Risperidone
Olanzapine
Quietiapine
Clozapine
Side
Effects
Extra Pyramidal
Dystonia
pseudo parkinsonism
Neuroleptic
Malignant Syndrome
Hyperprolactinemia
Metabolic
Syndrome
14. Antipsychotics
Generally Antipsychotics are categorized as
cluster C drugs
Except Clozapine is Cluster B
Better Avoid :
Depot injections for
◦ possible extra pyramidal effect on the baby
◦ may produce severe withdrawal symptoms after
delivery
Anti - cholinergic :
◦ Possible side effects on the baby
◦ Better adjust dose of antipsychotics
15. Antipsychotics
WhylactationWhypregnancy
If the baby has
hepatic impairment
Risk of
Agranulocytosis
ClozapineContra-indicated
Weight Gain
(Mother)
Gestational
Diabetes
AtypicalBetter Avoid
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Use but with
caution
17. Antidepressants
Generally Antidepressants are categorized as
cluster C drugs
Except Nortriptyline (TCA ) & Paroxetine( SSRI ) D
It is better to prescribe TCAs rather than SSRIs during
pregnancy:
◦ for SSRIs are newer & less studied regarding effect on
pregnancy & lactation
◦ A study in 2006 showed that using SSRIs after 20 week gestation
increase risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in neonates .
Neonates may show Discontinuation symptoms (
neonatal toxicity ) of antidepressants taken in pregnancy
:
Feeding Difficulties, irritability , Rigidity , Respiratory Distress
( for SSRIs) , Diarrhea , Jitterness , Muscle weakness ( for
TCAs ) usually mild & self limiting ( 1-2 weeks ) , Less
frequent signs of excessive crying , Sleep disturbance ,
Seizures could occur , the infant should be monitored .
18. Antidepressants
WhylactationWhypregnancy
Present in breast
milk at relatively
high levels
Citalopram
Fluoxetine
Congenital
Cardiac
Malformations
ParoxetineBetter Avoid
HypertentionVenlafaxine
Present in breast
milk at relatively
low levels
Imipramine
Setraline
Imipramine
Fluoxetine
Use but with
caution
20. Mood Stabilizers
Generally Mood Stabilizers are categorized as
cluster D drugs
Except Lamotrigine C
Careful Choice of drug should be considered for any female in her child bearing
period .
Try switching gradually to antipsychotics
Should the patient continue taking mood stabilizers , special care should be
offered :
◦ Generally :
offer appropriate screening & counseling regarding continuation of pregnancy , the need for
additional monitoring & risks to the fetus .
full pediatric assessment of the newborn infant , & monitor for the 1st few weeks .
◦ lithium :
Monitor serum level every 4 weeks 36th week weekly .
Adequate fluid intake .
Hospital delivery with monitoring specially fluid balance
◦ Valproate :
Max dose 1 gm daily in divided dose & slow release form .
Add Folic Acid 5 mg/day .
21. Mood Stabilizers
WhylactationWhypregnancy
Present in breast
milk at high levels
Hypotonia -
lethargy
Lithium•Fetal Heart defects
60 in 1000
•Ebstein anomaly
10 in 20,000
LithiumBetter
Avoid
Steven-johnson
syndrome in the
infant
Lamotrigine• Neural tube defect
(spina bifida)
100 – 200 in 10,000
Valproate
Single dose
/day
Carbamezapine•Neural tube defect
20 – 50 in 10,000
CarbamezapineUse but
with
caution
Valproate•Oral cleft
9 in 1000
Lamotrigine
23. Anxiolytics
Generally Anxiolytics are categorized as
cluster D drugs
Except : Flurazepam X / Zolpidem C / Buspirone B
Better Avoided during pregnancy :
◦ Fetus Cleft palate
◦ Neonate Floppy baby Syndrome
( Hypotonia , Hypothermia , Respiratory
Depression )
If used :
◦ Short period .
◦ Minimal dose .
24. The organization of services
Clinical
Network
Multi
Disciplinary
Service
Clear
Referral
Protocol
Access to
Specialized
Experts
25. References
NICE clinical guidelines for Antenatal & Postnatal Mental
Health .
National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence
Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry . 2nd Edition .
David Semple & Roger Smyth
Management of Mood Disorders During Pregnancy .
Dr Magda Fahmy