PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification
Exam Questions and Complete
Solutions Graded A+
Theories of etiology - Answer: biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulnerability
(prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social support/racism)
Baby Blues - Answer: Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep deprivation. lasts
2 days to 2 weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reactivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem
remains unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care strategies.
How to determine is it blues or depression - Answer: severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
Prevalence of postpartum anxiety - Answer: 8-20%
Prevalence of prenatal anxiety - Answer: 15%
Prevalence of postpartum depression - Answer: 21%
Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder - Answer: 11%
Prevalence of postpartum OCD - Answer: 11%
Prevalence of postpartum PTSD - Answer: 9%
Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds - Answer: 70%
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis - Answer: 1-2 out of 1,000
, Prevalence of PPD in fathers - Answer: 10%
Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder - Answer: 20-30%
Traits of OCD - Answer: recognizes that thoughts are unhealthy, extreme anxiety related to
thoughts/images, concerned about "snapping". parent does not want to harm the baby, thoughts are
frightening.
Traits of psychosis - Answer: does not recognize actions/thoughts are unhealthy, may seem to have less
anxiety when indulging in thoughts/behaviors, no insight about distortion of thoughts, parent has
delusional beliefs about the baby, thoughts of harming the baby are ego-syntonic
Traits of PTSD - Answer: intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood,
arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigilance)
maternal mortality-all women - Answer: 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
maternal mortality-black women - Answer: 43.5 per 100,000
Bipolar 1 Disorder - Answer: a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic and
major depressive episodes
Hypomania - Answer: A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry, extremely
talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
mania - Answer: a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state-function is impaired.
can last 7 days
prevalence of first diagnosis of bipolar disorder postpartum - Answer: 50%
Risk factors for postpartum psychosis - Answer: History of bipolar or psychotic disorder, first pregnancy,
family history, recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication
Exam Questions and Complete
Solutions Graded A+
Theories of etiology - Answer: biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulnerability
(prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social support/racism)
Baby Blues - Answer: Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep deprivation. lasts
2 days to 2 weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reactivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem
remains unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care strategies.
How to determine is it blues or depression - Answer: severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
Prevalence of postpartum anxiety - Answer: 8-20%
Prevalence of prenatal anxiety - Answer: 15%
Prevalence of postpartum depression - Answer: 21%
Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder - Answer: 11%
Prevalence of postpartum OCD - Answer: 11%
Prevalence of postpartum PTSD - Answer: 9%
Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds - Answer: 70%
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis - Answer: 1-2 out of 1,000
, Prevalence of PPD in fathers - Answer: 10%
Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder - Answer: 20-30%
Traits of OCD - Answer: recognizes that thoughts are unhealthy, extreme anxiety related to
thoughts/images, concerned about "snapping". parent does not want to harm the baby, thoughts are
frightening.
Traits of psychosis - Answer: does not recognize actions/thoughts are unhealthy, may seem to have less
anxiety when indulging in thoughts/behaviors, no insight about distortion of thoughts, parent has
delusional beliefs about the baby, thoughts of harming the baby are ego-syntonic
Traits of PTSD - Answer: intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood,
arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigilance)
maternal mortality-all women - Answer: 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
maternal mortality-black women - Answer: 43.5 per 100,000
Bipolar 1 Disorder - Answer: a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic and
major depressive episodes
Hypomania - Answer: A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry, extremely
talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
mania - Answer: a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state-function is impaired.
can last 7 days
prevalence of first diagnosis of bipolar disorder postpartum - Answer: 50%
Risk factors for postpartum psychosis - Answer: History of bipolar or psychotic disorder, first pregnancy,
family history, recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication
