Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Postpartum period is considered to be a vulnerable phase for new-onset psychiatric illness or exacerbation of pre-existing psychiatric illness. The present study was conducted to assess the short-term outcome of mothers in severe mental illnesses (SMI). Materials & Methods: 55 mother age ranged 18-40 years with their babies were included. Maternal psychopathology was rated using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Young’s Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Results: Age group 18-28 years had 35 and 29-40 years had 20 patients. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS) at admission was 68.2 and at discharge was 31.5, Young’s Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) at admission was 25.6 and at discharge was 10.2, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at admission was 18.4 and at discharge was 81 and Clinical global impression at admission was 5 and at discharge was 2.4. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers with severe mental illnesses showed significant clinical and dyadic improvement at discharge.