PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM NEWEST 2024/2025 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS| WELL GRADED A+||LATEST UPDATE

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH
CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM
NEWEST 2024/2025 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS| WELL GRADED A+||LATEST
UPDATE
What are some services that Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-- English & Spanish support
- Connecting to local support volunteers and resources
- "Chat with an Expert" phone forums
- Educational DVDs
- Online support groups
- Professional trainings and conferences

Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Both! At 1-
800-944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.

What is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A
national hotline for the perinatal population that offers support 24hr/365d. 1-833-TLC-
MAMA

What is the definition of "perinatal"? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Anytime during pregnancy
through the first year postpartum

What percentage of new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few weeks
after the baby arrives? - CORRECT ANSWERS-80%

When do the baby blues typically peak? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Day 3-5 after delivery

How long do the baby blues typically last? - CORRECT ANSWERS-2 days to 2 weeks
after delivery

What are the symptoms of baby blues? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx

,When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what should be
considered? - CORRECT ANSWERS-severity, onset, and duration

What is the DSM code for PPD? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Major Unipolar Depression
(with peripartum onset)

What is the DSM criteria for MDD? - CORRECT ANSWERS-SIGECAPS
Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week
period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms
is either
0. Depressed mood
1. Sleep issues
2. Interest decreased
3. Guilt/worthlessness/hopelessness
4. Energy decreased
5. Concentration decreased
6. Appetite issues
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
8. Suicidality or thoughts of death

What is the prevalence of serious depression or anxiety developed during the perinatal
period (beyond just "baby blues")? - CORRECT ANSWERS-At least 1 in 7 mothers

What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? - CORRECT ANSWERS-1-2 in 1,000
mothers

What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-10% of new fathers

What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-21% of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also experienced suicidal thoughts

Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths - CORRECT ANSWERS-One of
the top 3

What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
- shame and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility

What is the PSI motto? - CORRECT ANSWERS-You are not alone, you are not to
blame, and with help you will be well.

What is the term for mental health disorders that develop during pregnancy or
postpartum? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs)

,According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs), when
can their onset begin? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Anytime during or after pregnancy, up
to 1 year postpartum, including losses.

Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" - CORRECT ANSWERS-They can, or
they can arise later.

What are some triggers for later onset of PMHDs? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- hormonal
triggers
- rapid weaning from breastfeeding
- hormonal birth control
- return to work
- illness or hospitalization
- loss and grief

What are risk factors for PMHDs? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- financial stress or poverty
- lack of social support
- marital stress
- IPV/history of abuse
- substance dependency in family
- poor relationship with own family
- history of depression, anxiety, OCD
- thyroid imbalance, diabetes, endocrine disorders
- PMS or PMDD
- pregnancy or delivery complications
- infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss
- mothers whose baby is in the NICU
- recent major life stressor/event
- rapid weaning of breastfeeding
- unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
- ambivalence about parental role
- mothers of multiples

What is the physical factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- genetic predisposition
- sensitivity to hormonal changes

What are some psychosocial factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- inadequate support
- perfectionism, superwoman mentality

What are some concurrent stressors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- sleep disruption
- poor nutrition
- health challenges

, - interpersonal stress
- cultural stress/barriers

What are some other causes of PMHDs that should be ruled out? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- thyroid/pituitary imbalances
- anemia
- trauma
- vitamin D imbalance
- medication side effects
- alcohol or drug use

What are the different types of PMHDs? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- prenatal depression
or anxiety
- Major Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum Anxiety or Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Perinatal OCD
- Bipolar Disorders
- Postpartum Psychosis

What are some unexpected/atypical PPD symptoms? - CORRECT ANSWERS--
agitation
- anxiety
- anger, rage
- insomnia
- mania
- non-psychotic intrusive thoughts and images
- protectiveness and hypervigilance
- substance dependence

What are the stages of recovery from PMHDs? - CORRECT ANSWERS-- acute
symptoms, initial recovery, resolution of the acute stage
- first slump, transient ups and downs, resolving
- recovering confidence, grieving, and finding meaning

What is the difference in prevalence of PMHDs between the pregnancy and postpartum
periods? - CORRECT ANSWERS-They are just as high in each period

What are symptoms of prenatal and postpartum depression (PPD)? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-- sadness, crying
- feeling overwhelmed
- irritability, agitation, anger
- sleep disturbance
- appetite changes
- mood swings
- apathy