What Is Postpartum Psychosis?
5. Diagnosis According to Current Classification
Like all other disorders, evaluation begins through a complete patient history and physical examination. Laboratory investigations are performed to rule out a biological cause for the psychosis. Some of the investigations that may be useful include blood tests and medical imaging. A neurological assessment should also be done.
Postpartum psychosis has not been classified as a disorder on its own. Instead, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has changed the term to “with peripartum onset” for depressive and bipolar disorders for disorders involving mood symptoms that occur during pregnancy or within 4 weeks after delivery. Postpartum psychiatric conditions are often underdiagnosed. This reiterates the fact that screening during postpartum clinic visits are crucial.
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