title: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of postpartum psychosis.
abstract: Postpartum psychosis is one of the most severe manifestations of postpartum mental illness. A psychiatric emergency, the prompt recognition and treatment of postpartum psychosis is essential in insuring maternal and infant well-being and safety. Here, we review the literature on the phenomenology of postpartum psychosis and the prevalence of use, safety, and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a treatment. Studies were searched using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases. Based on our review, we argue that for some patients, electroconvulsive therapy should be the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. amanda.focht@mountsinai.org
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Focht
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kellner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents