The Relation Between Tachystoscopic Pictures and Neurotic Postpartum Depression: The Building of an Instrument

Research is presented based upon perceptual defence theory relating to the
possibility of detecting the risk of postpartum depression in pregnant women. The authors develop a
tachystoscopic method and report on a study using the method on a sample of 43 French Canadian women.
The method involves testing identification and reaction times to photographic stimuli related to perinatal issues.
Our research is based on the theory of perceptual defence. This theory proposes that pictures or words related
to emotional topics have recognition thresholds that are different from the ones of neutral material. Many
classical experiments as reviewed by Dixon (1981) and Bowlby (1980) have shown that most subjects take
longer expositions to recognize anxiety-provoking or threatening stimuli. While there is some controversy
concerning the specific underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon, most authors agree that perceptual
defence is a psychophysiological manifestation of a psychological defence against some disturbing stimuli. A
few researchers have applied perceptual defence theory to clinical situations. For example, Williams and Quirke
(1972) have shown significant differences in perception thresholds related to different types of psychopathology
whereas Kragh and Smith (1970) have studies the relationship between several defence mechanisms and the
perception of tachystoscopic pictures. However, to date, Uddenberg (1974) is the only author to have worked
with pregnant subjects in a way that could lead to early detection of post-partum depression. In a longitudinal
study with 89 pregnant subjects, Uddenberg (1974) projected through a tachystoscope the image of an
obviously pregnant woman.