Towards a transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology in the postpartum period

Abstract

Psychopathology research and clinical practice have historically relied on traditional diagnostic approaches, though there is a growing body of evidence suggesting these methods are likely outdated and are not suited for capturing the nuance and complexity of mental health symptomatology. Transdiagnostic approaches to psychopathology have been proposed as an alternative to traditional nosology, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Classification of Diseases and their corresponding versions. The postpartum period may be a time when transdiagnostic approaches could be useful, as it has both normative and maladaptive psychological challenges with clear overlapping risk, protective, and maintenance factors related to its psychopathology. The benefits of taking a transdiagnostic approach in the postpartum period are vast – examining postpartum psychopathology transdiagnostically can help identify common thematic elements experienced by new mothers, thus leading to improved screening, further assessment, and targeted treatment. This paper reviews the current diagnostic approaches to postpartum psychopathology, the benefits of a transdiagnostic approach in the postpartum period, relevant biopsychosocial factors, and proposes ways to incorporate this transdiagnostic approach in a way that works to benefit new mothers. Additionally, potential challenges and barriers to implementation are explored.