The Case of Leila Moro: Not Just the Blues

Abstract

Physicians in training are choosing to become parents during their graduate medical education years. Appropriately screening and treating mood disorders and/or other mental health issues during this time period is a crucial task of any psychiatrist. Understanding unique challenges faced by young physicians including role transitions and conflicts around work and home life is necessary. This chapter discusses treatment specific to this population including practical management strategies as well as major psychological conflicts that may arise in a psychotherapeutic modality. It discusses a case study of Leila Moro, a 29-year-old woman in her third year of internal medicine residency, with no prior psychiatric treatment, who presented for a psychiatric evaluation at the urging of her husband, also a resident physician following the birth of their first child and Leila's return to work after a 6-week maternity leave. Leila Moro was suffering from a major depressive episode with peripartum onset. Psychotherapeutic goals for peripartum depression include ego-supportive interventions regarding decision-making, i.e., going back to work or extending one's leave, childcare options, decisions around breastfeeding and/or formula feeding, and prioritizing self-care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)