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Over 20% of pregnancies involve medical difficulties that pose some threat to the health and well-being of the mother, her developing infant, or both. We report on the first comparison of the prevalence and incidence of maternal anxiety disorders (AD) in pregnancy and the postpartum, across levels of medical risk in pregnancy. Pregnant women ( N = 310) completed postnatal screening measures for anxiety. Women who scored at or above cutoff on one or more of the screening measures were administered a diagnostic interview ( n = 115) for AD. Pregnancies were classified into low, moderate, or high risk based on self-report and contact with high-risk maternity clinics. The incidence of AD in pregnancy was higher among women classified as experiencing a medically moderate or high-risk pregnancy, compared with women classified as experiencing a medically low-risk pregnancy. Across risk groups, there were no differences in AD prevalence or in the incidence of AD in the postpartum. Demographic characteristics and parity did not contribute meaningfully to outcomes. Pregnancies characterized by medical risks are associated with an increased likelihood of new onset AD. Women experiencing medically complex pregnancies should be screened for anxiety and offered appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the medication profiles of patients undergoing psychiatric treatment in British Columbia. The study included mental health outpatients who have received the same pharmacologic regimen for at least 90 days, including antipsychotics, anticholinergics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, lipid-lowering agents and antidiabetic agents. Study authors claim that their findings is the first to report excessive dosing associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy.