Eureka! Institutional Repository

Mental disorders are diagnosed in an increasing number of women worldwide. The types of mental disorders are “baby blues”, postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder. These disturbances affect the community either directly or indirectly through their psychosocial impacts. The diagnosis of mental disorders is held by the presence of symptoms such as depressed mood, nervousness, fear, hallucinations, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation. Their treatment is with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, combined with the effort for successful breastfeeding, including beneficial features. Breastfeeding consists of plenty of benefits for the mother and infant. Breastfeeding through its beneficial properties is a therapy through when there is a mental illness such as postpartum depression, Baby Blues, anxiety disorders and postpartum psychosis. Midwives can support the early detection of symptoms concerning mental health problems for referral and treatment. The care of those women postnatal has to be individualized, both in physical and psychological terms. Mental disorders are quite common and affect a large proportion of women, treatment must be immediate, holistic, cross- sectoral and to support woman’s new role as mothers.