Anna Höflich, Specialist in Psychiatry, Neurology and Psychotherapeutic Medicine

Senior Consultant PD DDr Anna Höflich works at the Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at Tulln University Hospital. She specialises in peripartum and transitional psychiatry, focusing on these two fields in her clinical practice and research.

Transitional phases in life are often challenging, so both fields are essential cornerstones in preventing mental health problems. However, they have received too little attention in research and clinical care.

When asked about the most formative steps in her professional career, Anna Höflich can point to a number of significant milestones. “The first thing that comes to mind is my work with the Neuroimaging Labs research group at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna. It was here that I first experienced working alongside people who are fully dedicated and focused on a specific research question. 

The realisation that answering complex questions requires a range of structural and financial resources was also a pivotal moment in my career. 

And so, of course, was the moment I realised that an interdisciplinary team of qualified professionals is needed to address all aspects of a research task.” The PhD programme was another significant milestone in her scientific career. 

“Learning every step of the process – how to transform an idea into practical implementation and results – was particularly important.” 

A research stay at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim also had a significant impact on her work. “At the research centre, I was able to explore imaging and environmental influences using a method called ecological momentary assessments. This approach enables us to study people’s behaviour and experiences in real-world settings while integrating additional data, such as movement and environmental factors. These investigative techniques are certain to play a key role in shaping the future of psychiatric research.”

Intensive collaboration at Tulln University Hospital
During her clinical training at the University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy  at the Medical University of Vienna, Anna Höflich developed a strong interest in peripartum psychiatry, a field that focuses on illnesses related to childbirth and the postnatal period. “It forms the foundation of mental well-being for children, families and women, and often plays a crucial role in preventing mental health problems. Support and treatment during this period can be incredibly important. I was therefore delighted to have the opportunity, about two years ago, to contribute to the design and establishment of the parent-and-child ward at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tulln University Hospital. As a multidisciplinary team, we will begin working with both inpatients and outpatients in this area this spring – a unique opportunity.” Dr Höflich also assumed leadership of the acute psychiatric ward EP2 in Tulln 18 months ago.

Her role enables her to effectively pursue her desire to combine clinical work with research by addressing questions that emerge from clinical practice. “Observing people in their daily lives to identify factors that influence the course of a disease is very important to me. I am also deeply interested in transitional phases in human life, which are often characterised by a high degree of plasticity and significant psychosocial consequences. This is why I focus on studying the transition from adolescence to adulthood as well as the peripartum phase – specifically, the transition families undergo during pregnancy and the postpartum period.” Close collaboration with the Research Centre for Transitional Psychiatry and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, particularly in the area of early parent-child interaction, provides a strong foundation for this work.

Expanding services for (expectant) parents and young adults
Anna Höflich’s goal for the future is to establish nationwide peripartum psychiatric care and promote scientific advancements in this area. With her strong scientific background in clinical neuroscience, experience in large-scale scientific studies and in developing relevant research questions based on clinical data, as well as her expertise in securing third-party funding, she approaches this task with great enthusiasm and optimism. 

“There is urgent need for closer cooperation in the field of peripartum psychiatry in Austria, to ensure comprehensive care. Currently, we still have insufficient tailored services for individuals in transitional stages of life and for (expectant) parents facing mental health challenges. I sincerely hope that awareness of the urgency of this issue will increase. We aim to contribute to this through our work.”