What is the prevalence of perinatal psychosis among women?

The prevalence of perinatal psychosis is recognized to be approximately 1 in 1,000 births. This statistic is crucial for understanding the scope of mental health issues that can occur during the perinatal period (the time surrounding childbirth). Perinatal psychosis is a severe mental health disorder that can affect new mothers shortly after delivery, and its relatively low prevalence compared to other perinatal mood disorders makes it particularly significant within clinical practice.

Knowing this figure is important for healthcare providers as it helps in identifying at-risk individuals and implementing appropriate screening and interventions. Awareness of the prevalence informs clinical expectations and underscores the need for monitoring and support for new mothers, particularly those with a history of psychiatric disorders, as they may be at an increased risk for conditions like perinatal psychosis.