PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam
Questions And Answers
1. Theories of etiology
Answer: biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genet- ic vulnerability
(prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social
support/racism)
2. 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 interven-
tion. Recommend self care strategies.
3. How to determine is it blues or depression
Answer: severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
4. Prevalence of postpartum anxiety
Answer: 8-20%
5. Prevalence of prenatal anxiety
Answer: 15%
6. Prevalence of postpartum depression
Answer: 21%
,7. Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder
Answer: 11%
8. Prevalence of postpartum OCD
Answer: 11%
9. Prevalence of postpartum PTSD
Answer: 9%
10. Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds
Answer: 70%
11. Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
Answer: 1-2 out of 1,000
12. Prevalence of PPD in fathers
Answer: 10%
13. Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder
Answer: 20-30%
14. 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.
15. 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
16. Traits of PTSD
Answer: intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood,
arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigi- lance)
17. maternal mortality-all women
Answer: 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
18. maternal mortality-black women
Answer: 43.5 per 100,000
19. Bipolar 1 Disorder
Answer: a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic and
major depressive episodes
20. Hypomania
Answer: A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry,
extremely talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
21. mania
Answer: a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state-function is
Questions And Answers
1. Theories of etiology
Answer: biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genet- ic vulnerability
(prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social
support/racism)
2. 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 interven-
tion. Recommend self care strategies.
3. How to determine is it blues or depression
Answer: severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
4. Prevalence of postpartum anxiety
Answer: 8-20%
5. Prevalence of prenatal anxiety
Answer: 15%
6. Prevalence of postpartum depression
Answer: 21%
,7. Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder
Answer: 11%
8. Prevalence of postpartum OCD
Answer: 11%
9. Prevalence of postpartum PTSD
Answer: 9%
10. Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds
Answer: 70%
11. Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
Answer: 1-2 out of 1,000
12. Prevalence of PPD in fathers
Answer: 10%
13. Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder
Answer: 20-30%
14. 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.
15. 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
16. Traits of PTSD
Answer: intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood,
arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigi- lance)
17. maternal mortality-all women
Answer: 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
18. maternal mortality-black women
Answer: 43.5 per 100,000
19. Bipolar 1 Disorder
Answer: a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic and
major depressive episodes
20. Hypomania
Answer: A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry,
extremely talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
21. mania
Answer: a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state-function is
