Between Maternal Madness and Postpartum Depression: a Psychoanalytic Approach to the Complexity of Motherhood Acceptance

The aim of this work is to analyze the process of a woman's acceptance of the maternal role in the context of psychoanalysis, including the prenatal and postnatal periods, and to identify the interconnections between internal conflicts, fantasies, and the reality of motherhood. The research hypothesis suggests that the establishment of dyadic relationships between mother and infant in the postnatal period depends on the mother's acceptance of the actual maternal function, including the experience of "normal maternal madness." This acceptance is influenced by experiences and fantasies during pregnancy, as well as the gap between the fantasized and real experiences of motherhood. The study draws on the works of psychoanalysts such as S. Freud, D. Winnicott, R. Pratt, Helene Deutsch, M. Mahler, R. Roussillon, F. Dolto, and others. The empirical part of the research consists of two stages: semi-structured interviews with three respondents and an analysis of vignettes from the documentary film "Mothers on the Edge" (BBC). This approach allows for a comparison of women's perceptions of the maternal role under normal conditions (including normal maternal madness) and pathological manifestations (postnatal depression). The work underscores the importance of the psychoanalytic approach for a deep understanding of the maternal role and its impact on the mental health of both the mother and child, offering valuable insights for psychotherapeutic practice.