Dépression maternelle et prévention : approche clinique et projective

Abstract

The authors show the results related to the longitudinal study of a six-months pregnant, depressive woman until four months postpartum. She has accepted a short psychoanalytical psychotherapy. The originality of that study is triple: longitudinal studies during that perinatal period are seldom if we consider previous researches reviewed; psychological evaluation at eight-months time interval using multidimensional clinical methodology based on behavioural and psychoanalytical frame of reference has never been undertaken. Indeed, we simultaneously have used therapy data, scales and questionnaires related to health psychology to appreciate behavioural changes (SF 36 quality of life scale, Carver's Brief Cope, General Health Questionnaire 12, EPDS perinatal depression scale), and a projective technique (Rorschach test) to evaluate intrapsychic changes; to give the reader the opportunity to account precisely for changes related to psychoanalytical psychotherapy. Results clearly shows usefulness of that type of psychotherapy from a preventive perspective to face perinatal depression. Indeed, psychoanalytic following allows to reduce significantly perinatal depressive state to improve adaptative coping strategies and life quality and finally to favour intrapsychic reorganization. That last point was clearly demonstrated by the comparison of data at time 1 and 2 of research. Future researches are suggested to give more consistence to the conclusions related to that single case study.