[Mother-child treatments within the scope of public community psychiatric care. Clinical treatment concept and experiences over 5 years].
BACKGROUND
Described are mother-child treatments performed within the framework of regional maximum care at general psychiatric units not having such a treatments focus.


METHODS
The new clinical concept with its social and psychodynamic aspects is described. It provides realistic perspectives for all involved. Last but not least it puts the child in a position as a helpful companion for the mother. Over a space of 5 years, 20 mother-child treatments were performed at four different wards. 12 mothers suffered from schizophrenia (F20), 7 had depressive complaints (F32, F43), and one patient had a borderline personality disorder (F60). Treatments lasted an average of 10 weeks, all mothers retained their children. 16 patients were sent home; 2 were referred to a mother-child facility; 1 patient was placed in a half-way home and another in a house for women, in both cases with offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Mother-child treatment under specific spatial conditions is not only possible, but is an enrichment for all at general psychiatric units attending heterogeneous patients. The main requirement is a certain level of treatment care, such as an established primary care track, a clinic team that is flexible and open to novel approaches and, as a result, willing to accept a certain level of stress as normal.
Kempf
M
M
Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie im Krankenhaus Neukölln, Berlin.
Brockhaus
S
S
Helber-Böhlen
H
H
Fähndrich
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D011247:Pregnancy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012931:Social Environment