Relational ethics: when mothers suffer from psychosis

Summary

Objective: The goal of this review is to aid clinicians with ethical issues arising in the treatment of women who suffer from psychosis.

Method: This paper is a synthesis of the recent literature in adult and child psychiatry, ethics, law, and child welfare pertaining to the topic of maternal psychosis. Topics include: family planning, the care of pregnant women with schizophrenia, postpartum psychosis, child custody, involuntary treatment, confidentiality issues, and service fragmentation.

Conclusion: Appreciation of the particularized circumstances of issues arising in the treatment of mothers who suffer from psychosis serve the clinician better than the dispassionate application of a principle-driven ethic.