Postpartum Psychosis
What are the symptomsof postpartum psychosis?
Source: NHS
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Most women with postpartum psychosis will experience psychosis (a 'psychotic episode') and other symptoms very soon after giving birth, usually within the first two weeks.
Some women develop symptoms later than this sometimes at the time they stop breastfeeding, or when their periods restart.
Psychosis
Psychosis causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them. The two main symptoms are:
- hallucinations usually hearing or seeing things that aren't there; a common hallucination is hearing voices
- delusions thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be true (for example believing you've won the lottery)
The combination of hallucinations and delusional thinking can severely disrupt her perception, thinking, emotions and behaviour.
Other symptoms
A woman with postpartum psychosis may also behave in a way that is out of character, and may experience:
- a high mood (mania) she may talk and think too much or too quickly, feel 'on top of the world', or be more sociable than normal
- a loss of inhibitions
- paranoia , feeling suspicious or fearful
- restlessness or agitation
- a low mood she may show signs of depression and be withdrawn or tearful, with a lack of energy, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability or trouble sleeping
- severe confusion
Her mood may change rapidly. Some affected women experience symptoms of mania and depression at the same time.
Articles for Postpartum Psychosis
Can postpartum psychosis be prevented?
A woman's risk of developing postpartum psychosis should be assessed during her antenatal appointments so that if she were to develop the illness after giving birth, the signs would be spotted straigh
Further advice and support
Women who have experienced or are experiencing postpartum psychosis may find the following charities and forums helpful: Action Postpartum Psychosis The Association for Post Natal Illness PAND
How is postpartum psychosis treated?
Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency. The woman may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. Ideally, she would be admitted with her baby to a specialist psychiatric unit called a mo
How serious can it be?
Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that should be treated as a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, the postpartum psychosis can get worse rapidly. The illness could cause he
Introduction
NHS Choices information on postpartum psychosis (psychosis after childbirth), with links to other useful resources
What are the symptomsof postpartum psychosis?
Most women with postpartum psychosis will experience psychosis (a 'psychotic episode') and other symptoms very soon after giving birth, usually within the first two weeks. Some women develop symptoms
What should I do if I think I'm having an episode?
If you already have a care plan because you've been assessed to be at high risk, there should be an emergency number you can call to reach a crisis team. If you don't have a care plan, and think you'
What should I do if I think someone may have developed postpartum psychosis?
Contact your GP immediately if you think someone you know may have developed postnatal psychosis. If this isn't possible, call NHS 111 or your local out-of-hours service . If you think there's a da
What's the cause of postpartum psychosis?
We're not really sure what causes postpartum psychosis. Fluctuations in hormones and sleep patterns could play a role, and there does seem to be a genetic basis, as a woman is more likely to develop t
What's the outlook for someone with postpartum psychosis?
With treatment, the vast majority of women with postpartum psychosis start to feel better very quickly. Some mothers have difficulty bonding with their baby after an episode of postpartum psychosis,
Who is at riskof postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is more likely to affect women who: havehad postpartum psychosis before already have a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have a rela
