ABSTRACT
The psychiatric problems most often seen in pregnancy are depression and anxiety; psychosis occurs more rarely. Most pregnant women will experience some anxieties about the prospect of motherhood but these symptoms are not usually manifestations of an anxiety disorder. The management of pregnant women with a psychiatric disorder often requires the involvement of psychiatrist, obstetrician and general practitioner. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as cognitive and behavioural therapies, should be considered before resorting to drug therapy. Maternal psychiatric illness may also affect the future mother-child relationship. In women who conceive while taking psychotropic drugs there may be a significant risk of relapse if drug therapy is stopped. The risk of post-partum depression in women with a history of depression is about 25%. Epidemiological studies of exposure to tricyclic antidepressants in pregnancy have not shown an increased risk of congenital malformations.
