ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the most common psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Relapse rates for those women who discontinue antidepressants during pregnancy are high, with higher relapse rates in women with depression for more than 5 years, more than four episodes, and of younger age. The treatment and therapeutic responses for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period are similar to those outside of the perinatal period. Benzodiaze-pines have a role in the treatment of anxiety in the general population, but use of antidepressants is preferred in the perinatal period because they have better safety profiles in pregnancy and lactation. Medications during the first trimester, pregnancy, or the postpartum might be avoided if the depression is not severe and psychotherapy could be undertaken. An occasional low mood is a normal reaction to the disappointments, setbacks, and losses inherent in everyday life.
