Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders Knowledge Flashcards
7 cards from real PSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders Knowledge flashcards as text
Which postpartum mood disorder is characterized by intrusive, ego-dystonic thoughts that the mother finds deeply disturbing and inconsistent with her values?
Answer: Postpartum OCD
Postpartum OCD involves unwanted intrusive thoughts (e.g., harming the baby) that are ego-dystonic, meaning they conflict with the mother's values and cause significant distress.
A new mother reports flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance following a traumatic birth experience. Which postpartum condition is most likely?
Answer: Birth-related PTSD
Birth-related PTSD presents with classic PTSD symptoms—flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and hyperarousal—triggered by a traumatic labor or delivery experience.
According to PSI guidelines, postpartum panic disorder is best described as:
Answer: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with anticipatory fear of future attacks
Postpartum panic disorder features recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent worry about having more attacks, which is distinct from generalized postpartum anxiety.
Postpartum rage is increasingly recognized as a symptom most commonly associated with which condition?
Answer: Postpartum depression
Postpartum rage and irritability are recognized presentations of postpartum depression, which does not always manifest as sadness alone.
Which factor is considered the STRONGEST single predictor of postpartum depression?
Answer: History of depression or anxiety during pregnancy
Antenatal depression or anxiety is the strongest predictor of postpartum depression; women who are depressed or anxious during pregnancy are at substantially elevated risk.
How does postpartum OCD most critically differ from postpartum psychosis regarding infant safety risk?
Answer: Postpartum psychosis poses higher infant risk because thoughts may be ego-syntonic and acted upon
In postpartum psychosis, command hallucinations or delusional beliefs can be ego-syntonic and may lead to acting on harmful thoughts, whereas OCD intrusive thoughts are ego-dystonic and rarely acted upon.
A lactating mother with moderate postpartum depression asks about antidepressant options. Which class is generally considered first-line due to its established safety profile in breastfeeding?
Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs such as sertraline and paroxetine have the most robust safety data during breastfeeding and are considered first-line pharmacological treatment for postpartum depression.