ABSTRACT
For some women, their scary thoughts may occur in the context of a psychiatric disorder. This chapter reviews the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for five disorders that may be commonly diagnosed among perinatal women who are experiencing scary thoughts, namely generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder. Additionally, some women may experience thoughts that are considered more severe, including suicidal and psychotic thoughts, which require immediate professional support. The purpose of this chapter is to educate readers about symptoms to look out for when considering whether to seek professional help given that effective treatments have been developed for each of the disorders reviewed.
