Managing perinatal mental health disorders is collaborative.
Who should be involved?
Managing mental health disorders is collaborative. After diagnosis of a mental health disorder, primary care professionals play a critical role in providing information, monitoring, potential referral, support and care.
Specific mental health expertise is required to develop a management plan for women with more severe symptoms.
It is important to refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has the following risk factors or symptomatology:
| Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: |
|---|
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Passed history of severe mental health disorder including bipolar disorder or puerperal psychosis |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Marked changes in mood, thoughts, perceptions and behaviours that may indicate puerperal psychosis or bipolar disorder |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Severe depression and/or anxiety |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Significant risk of suicide or harm to herself, the infant or other children |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Moderate depression in the presence of significant risk factors |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Continued inability to manage despite supports being mobilised |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: No improvements after treatments (e.g. psychological therapy, medication) |
Refer to or consult a psychiatrist if a woman has: Other issues requiring ongoing therapy (e.g. trauma, grief, loss) |
Selecting appropriate management options
The choice of treatments will depend on the woman’s disorder, her preferences and the health professional’s training, skills and experience.
Relevant contextual factors include ongoing psychosocial factors, ethnicity and cultural background, age and demographic situation.
To inform decision-making, women should be given relevant and culturally appropriate information about treatment options, with full discussion of their suitability and acceptability to her and her significant other(s).
