Abstract:

Abstract Perinatal mental illnesses occur during pregnancy and up to one year after birth. It is observed that diseases with a wide spectrum such a major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders and psychosis that are frequently recur in the early postnatal period. Although the underlying psychopathologies are not fully elucidated, multifaceted, multifactorial causes such as hormones during pregnancy, environmental factors, social support of women and previous disease history, as well as genetic factors and the effects of all these on neurotransmitter levels in the brain are blamed. Clinically, exposure to prenatal depression and anxiety disorders has been associated with cognitive and behavioural problems in children, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism and emotional problems in early and middle childhood. Interventions for the treatment of mental illnesses that occur in the perinatal period are in the form of pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions. These aimed maternal and child health, development and finally healthy families should be planned and applied seriously in the long term by considering the benefit risk balance. Early detection and effective management of perinatal mental illnesses are critical for the quality of life and welfare of women and their children.

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