Bipolar disorder affects roughly 1% of people of childbearing age, and perinatal people are no exception. Treatment can be complicated, as it often requires multiple psychiatric medications, some of which have safety concerns and/or are difficult to monitor in pregnancy. At the same time, stopping treatment is associated with relapse rates of up to 70%. Postpartum psychosis is one of the only disorders unique to the peripartum period, and it often presents as a manic episode in the days and weeks immediately after childbirth. For some women, postpartum psychosis can go on to become an ongoing bipolar diagnosis; for others, it resolves completely. Both bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis utilize mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. This webinar will focus on the unique presentations of perinatal bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, the safety profile of commonly used medications, and treatment algorithms for these serious disorders.

For more information on Perinatal Resource to Optimize Mental Health Interventions and Substance Use Treatment Excellence (PROMISE) please view their website.