PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFI
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
1. Theories of etiology biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulner-
ability (prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environ-
mental (poor social support/racism)
2. Baby Blues Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep
deprivation. lasts 2 days to 2 weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reac-
tivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem remains
unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care
strategies.
3. How to determine is it severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
blues or depression
4. Prevalence of postpartum 8-20%
anxiety
5. Prevalence of prenatal 15%
anxiety
6. Prevalence of postpartum 21%
depression
7. Prevalence of postpartum 11%
panic disorder
8. Prevalence of postpartum 11%
OCD
9. Prevalence of postpartum 9%
PTSD
10. 70%
, PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFI
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
Percentage of bipolar
symptoms that relapse
w/o meds
11. Prevalence of postpartum 1-2 out of 1,000
psychosis
12. Prevalence of PPD in fa- 10%
thers
13. Prevalence psychosis in 20-30%
women with known bipo-
lar disorder
14. Traits of OCD 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 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 intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and
mood, arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression,
hyper vigilance)
17. maternal mortality-all 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
women
18. maternal mortality-black 43.5 per 100,000
women
, PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFI
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
19. Bipolar 1 Disorder a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic
and major depressive episodes
20. Hypomania A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry,
extremely talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
21. mania a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic
state-function is impaired. can last 7 days
22. prevalence of first diag- 50%
nosis of bipolar disorder
postpartum
23. Risk factors for postpar- History of bipolar or psychotic disorder, first pregnancy, family
tum psychosis history, recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication
24. Postpartum psychosis onset-2 weeks postpartum, poor concentration, disorientation,
symptoms agitation, aloof, lack of self care, elated/labile mood, rambling
speech, thought broadcasting/delusion of grandiosity, disorga-
nized thoughts, flight of ideas, hallucinations
25. reducing risk of postpar- stay on bipolar medication, treat immediately in women with history
tum psychosis of psychosis and bipolar, good sleep is essential
26. Evidence based risk factors previous PMADS (family history, personal history, symptoms during
for PMADS pregnancy), history of mood/anxiety disorders (personal or family
history of depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar dis-
orders), significant mood reactions of hormonal changes (puberty,
PMS, hormonal birth control)
27. More evidence based risk endocrine dysfunction (diabetes, thyroid imbalance, fertility chal-
factors for PMADS lenges), social factors (IPV, low support, financial stress, racism),
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
1. Theories of etiology biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulner-
ability (prior diagnosis), psychological (identity), social/environ-
mental (poor social support/racism)
2. Baby Blues Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep
deprivation. lasts 2 days to 2 weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reac-
tivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem remains
unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care
strategies.
3. How to determine is it severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
blues or depression
4. Prevalence of postpartum 8-20%
anxiety
5. Prevalence of prenatal 15%
anxiety
6. Prevalence of postpartum 21%
depression
7. Prevalence of postpartum 11%
panic disorder
8. Prevalence of postpartum 11%
OCD
9. Prevalence of postpartum 9%
PTSD
10. 70%
, PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFI
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
Percentage of bipolar
symptoms that relapse
w/o meds
11. Prevalence of postpartum 1-2 out of 1,000
psychosis
12. Prevalence of PPD in fa- 10%
thers
13. Prevalence psychosis in 20-30%
women with known bipo-
lar disorder
14. Traits of OCD 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 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 intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and
mood, arousal (sleep disturbance, poor concentration, aggression,
hyper vigilance)
17. maternal mortality-all 1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
women
18. maternal mortality-black 43.5 per 100,000
women
, PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFI
SOLUTIONS |2025 EXAM | ELABORATED &DETAILED ANSWERS!!
19. Bipolar 1 Disorder a type of bipolar disorder marked by at least one lifetime full manic
and major depressive episodes
20. Hypomania A mild manic state in which the individual seems infectiously merry,
extremely talkative, charming, and tireless. up to 4 days in length
21. mania a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic
state-function is impaired. can last 7 days
22. prevalence of first diag- 50%
nosis of bipolar disorder
postpartum
23. Risk factors for postpar- History of bipolar or psychotic disorder, first pregnancy, family
tum psychosis history, recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication
24. Postpartum psychosis onset-2 weeks postpartum, poor concentration, disorientation,
symptoms agitation, aloof, lack of self care, elated/labile mood, rambling
speech, thought broadcasting/delusion of grandiosity, disorga-
nized thoughts, flight of ideas, hallucinations
25. reducing risk of postpar- stay on bipolar medication, treat immediately in women with history
tum psychosis of psychosis and bipolar, good sleep is essential
26. Evidence based risk factors previous PMADS (family history, personal history, symptoms during
for PMADS pregnancy), history of mood/anxiety disorders (personal or family
history of depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar dis-
orders), significant mood reactions of hormonal changes (puberty,
PMS, hormonal birth control)
27. More evidence based risk endocrine dysfunction (diabetes, thyroid imbalance, fertility chal-
factors for PMADS lenges), social factors (IPV, low support, financial stress, racism),
