What is Postpartum Psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis effects about 1-2 birthing parents for every 1,000 pregnant people. Typically, postpartum psychosis is discussed after a case makes headline news and goes to trial when in reality, there should be more discussion of the risks, myths, and steps for treatment for individuals and families who are expecting or supporting someone who is pregnant. While these topics may be uncomfortable, we want to remember that knowledge is prevention and prevention saves lives. This blog may be triggering for those who struggle with suicide, infanticide, pregnancy loss, or abortion. 

First let’s do some debunking. With any diagnosis, the internet essentially works as one giant game of telephone. Here are some commonly held misconceptions about postpartum psychosis that we want to be vigilant about. 

1. It is a severe form of postpartum depression. 

This is inaccurate since individuals struggling with postpartum psychosis often experience hallucinations, detachment from reality, delusions, and mania. These symptoms are not consistent with folks who are experiencing postpartum depression. 

2. The birthing parent wanted to hurt their child. 

This is untrue. Many who experience postpartum psychosis experience delusions or hallucinations that are linked to religion or ending of suffering regarding their child instead of wanting to innately harm their children. Again, if an individual is experiencing postpartum psychosis, they are impaired when it comes to decision making. 

3. It happens when someone has a baby. 

This is a widely held misconception, but postpartum psychosis can happen after a stillbirth, a miscarriage, and termination. 

4. People who experience postpartum psychosis shouldn’t have been pregnant to begin with.

There are suggested factors that you may be at risk of experiencing postpartum psychosis, but there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding this diagnosis. Some individuals have a history of mental health treatment while others haven’t had any challenges prior. 

5. Postpartum psychosis is permanent. 

Postpartum psychosis is actually preventable, treatable, and temporary. That is why understanding it is so important. 

What are the signs of postpartum psychosis?

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis typically begin within the first couple weeks after birth, termination, or loss and can develop over a span of 3-4 months. While new parents are adjusting to many changes in their lives, these are the important ones to take note of; 

1. Hallucinations: am I seeing anything, smelling anything, hearing anything, or feeling sensations that aren’t in my reality? Are the people around me able to experience these things?

2. Delusions: am I having thoughts that either myself or my baby is a higher power? Am I preoccupied with the feelings that I have a divine mission or task?

3. Confusion: am I having a difficult time thinking clearly, completing tasks, or communicating?

4. Paranoia: am I feeling like people are against me, have ill intentions towards me? 

5. Mood Swings: am I shifting rapidly from feeling euphoria and very depressed?

6. Sleep: am I struggling to sleep or do I not feel the need to sleep at all?

You do not need to experience all of these symptoms to be evaluated. Even if you are noticing that you are struggling with a few, it may be important to seek out support. 

What do I do if I notice symptoms in myself or a loved one?

Postpartum psychosis is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate action. The first step would be to assess for immediate safety. If you are the one experiencing symptoms, please seek out emergency medical support. If you are noticing the symptoms in a loved one and they are unable to keep themselves safe, please do the same. 

If you are noticing changes in yourself or a loved one, but feel as though you are able to keep yourself safe, it is important to still seek out care through agencies that are equipped to help. Postpartum Support International has an abundance of resources as well as their own HelpLine which can help determine the type of support needed. Ongoing therapy, psychiatric care, and group support is the typical treatment for preventative and post psychosis. 

If you are already in therapy, it may be helpful to preemptively schedule for more sessions as you get closer to your due date as well as develop a plan for supports if intervention is needed. Hopefully it is something that isn’t utilized, but as we’ve already stated several times, prevention is key. 

Larger Change

In reality, like many other conditions of birthing folks, postpartum psychosis is rarely discussed in a preventative manner within healthcare symptoms. Although the burden of seeking out adequate support shouldn’t be on the individual struggling or their supports, it is time we started to debunk what this diagnosis is and know how to advocate for those who may endure it. 

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency please call/text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.