PSI Perinatal Mental Health Certification
Exam Study Guide Question and Answer
(2026) 100% Verified Clinical Review A+
• Traits of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) -✓✓Recognizes unhealthy
thoughts, extreme anxiety, fear of 'snapping', no desire to harm the baby,
frightening thoughts
• Traits of Psychosis -✓✓Lacks insight into unhealthy thoughts/actions, reduced
anxiety with delusions, no awareness of distorted thoughts, delusional beliefs about
the baby, ego-syntonic thoughts of harming the baby
• Traits of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -✓✓Intrusive thoughts
(flashbacks), avoidance, negative mood, arousal symptoms (sleep issues, poor
concentration, hyper vigilance)
• Maternal Mortality Rate (All Women) -✓✓1,200 deaths per year or 14.4 per
100,000 women
• Maternal Mortality Rate (Black Women) -✓✓43.5 deaths per 100,000 women
• Bipolar I Disorder -✓✓Characterized by at least one full manic and major
depressive episode in a lifetime
• Hypomania -✓✓Mild manic state with elevated mood, talkativeness, charm, and
energy lasting up to 4 days
• Mania -✓✓A mood disorder characterized by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic
state where function is impaired. Can last up to 7 days.
• Prevalence of First Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Postpartum -✓✓Approximately
50%
• Risk Factors for Postpartum Psychosis -✓✓Includes history of bipolar or
psychotic disorder, first pregnancy, family history, recent discontinuation of
psychotropic medication.
, • Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms -✓✓Onset typically 2 weeks postpartum.
Symptoms include poor concentration, disorientation, agitation, aloofness, lack of
self-care, elated/labile mood, rambling speech, thought broadcasting/delusion of
grandiosity, disorganized thoughts, flight of ideas, hallucinations.
• Reducing Risk of Postpartum Psychosis -✓✓Stay on bipolar medication, treat
immediately in women with history of psychosis and bipolar disorder, prioritize
good sleep.
• Evidence-Based Risk Factors for PMADS -✓✓Includes previous PMADS,
history of mood/anxiety disorders, significant mood reactions to hormonal
changes.
• More Evidence-Based Risk Factors for PMADS -✓✓Include endocrine
dysfunction, social factors, high stress parenting situations.
• Exacerbating Factors of Postpartum Depression -✓✓Include pain, lack of sleep,
abrupt discontinuation of breastfeeding, childcare stress, relationship stress, losses,
history of childhood sexual abuse, complicated pregnancy, health changes in baby
or parents, temperament of baby, climate stressors, perfectionism, unresolved grief
or attachment with mother, returning to work.
• Substance Use in Pregnancy -✓✓Approximately 5.4% of all women use illicit
drugs during pregnancy, with 14.6% of adolescent moms.
• Alcohol Use in Pregnancy -✓✓Approximately 8.5% of women drank within the
last month, with most alcohol consumption occurring during the first trimester
(17.9%).
• Postpartum Substance Abuse -✓✓Alcohol use reported by 40-49%, marijuana
use reported by 4.5-8.5%
• Risks for Single Parents -✓✓Twice as likely to report depressive and anxious
symptoms compared to partnered parents
• NICU Rates -✓✓10-15% of babies spend time in the NICU. NICU parents often
experience trauma, high rates of anxiety, and depression
Exam Study Guide Question and Answer
(2026) 100% Verified Clinical Review A+
• Traits of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) -✓✓Recognizes unhealthy
thoughts, extreme anxiety, fear of 'snapping', no desire to harm the baby,
frightening thoughts
• Traits of Psychosis -✓✓Lacks insight into unhealthy thoughts/actions, reduced
anxiety with delusions, no awareness of distorted thoughts, delusional beliefs about
the baby, ego-syntonic thoughts of harming the baby
• Traits of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -✓✓Intrusive thoughts
(flashbacks), avoidance, negative mood, arousal symptoms (sleep issues, poor
concentration, hyper vigilance)
• Maternal Mortality Rate (All Women) -✓✓1,200 deaths per year or 14.4 per
100,000 women
• Maternal Mortality Rate (Black Women) -✓✓43.5 deaths per 100,000 women
• Bipolar I Disorder -✓✓Characterized by at least one full manic and major
depressive episode in a lifetime
• Hypomania -✓✓Mild manic state with elevated mood, talkativeness, charm, and
energy lasting up to 4 days
• Mania -✓✓A mood disorder characterized by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic
state where function is impaired. Can last up to 7 days.
• Prevalence of First Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Postpartum -✓✓Approximately
50%
• Risk Factors for Postpartum Psychosis -✓✓Includes history of bipolar or
psychotic disorder, first pregnancy, family history, recent discontinuation of
psychotropic medication.
, • Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms -✓✓Onset typically 2 weeks postpartum.
Symptoms include poor concentration, disorientation, agitation, aloofness, lack of
self-care, elated/labile mood, rambling speech, thought broadcasting/delusion of
grandiosity, disorganized thoughts, flight of ideas, hallucinations.
• Reducing Risk of Postpartum Psychosis -✓✓Stay on bipolar medication, treat
immediately in women with history of psychosis and bipolar disorder, prioritize
good sleep.
• Evidence-Based Risk Factors for PMADS -✓✓Includes previous PMADS,
history of mood/anxiety disorders, significant mood reactions to hormonal
changes.
• More Evidence-Based Risk Factors for PMADS -✓✓Include endocrine
dysfunction, social factors, high stress parenting situations.
• Exacerbating Factors of Postpartum Depression -✓✓Include pain, lack of sleep,
abrupt discontinuation of breastfeeding, childcare stress, relationship stress, losses,
history of childhood sexual abuse, complicated pregnancy, health changes in baby
or parents, temperament of baby, climate stressors, perfectionism, unresolved grief
or attachment with mother, returning to work.
• Substance Use in Pregnancy -✓✓Approximately 5.4% of all women use illicit
drugs during pregnancy, with 14.6% of adolescent moms.
• Alcohol Use in Pregnancy -✓✓Approximately 8.5% of women drank within the
last month, with most alcohol consumption occurring during the first trimester
(17.9%).
• Postpartum Substance Abuse -✓✓Alcohol use reported by 40-49%, marijuana
use reported by 4.5-8.5%
• Risks for Single Parents -✓✓Twice as likely to report depressive and anxious
symptoms compared to partnered parents
• NICU Rates -✓✓10-15% of babies spend time in the NICU. NICU parents often
experience trauma, high rates of anxiety, and depression
