Relational ethics: when mothers suffer from psychosis.

ABSTRACT

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.