In plain words
Postpartum psychosis is a rare and serious mental illness that begins suddenly, usually in the first two weeks after birth. It affects about 1 to 2 in every 1,000 births. A mother may become confused, unable to sleep at all, very agitated or very withdrawn, or hear or see things that are not there. Her beliefs may become fixed and untrue. Some mothers are not aware that anything is wrong, which is why partners, family, and providers need to watch for the change. Postpartum psychosis is treated as a psychiatric emergency. It is not caused by a mother's choices, and it is treatable, with most mothers recovering with prompt care. If you notice these signs in someone, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. It is not something to hold until the next appointment.
The deeper version
Postpartum psychosis is a severe affective or non-affective psychotic episode, most often bipolar-spectrum, with onset typically within the first two weeks after delivery and an incidence of about 1 to 2 per 1,000 births in population data. Risk is highest in women with or prior postpartum psychosis, and sleep loss is a recognized precipitant. Jones, Chandra, Dazzan, and Howard (The Lancet, 2014) reviewed the perinatal evidence on bipolar disorder, affective psychosis, and schizophrenia. Presentation is often rapid, with delirium-like features, insomnia, and paranoia. Management is inpatient-level psychiatric care with antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing treatment, chosen by a psychiatrist. The main controversy concerns the degree to which postpartum psychosis is a distinct entity or a bipolar presentation triggered by the postpartum period.
Where it comes up
- When to get help, and who to call tonightPostpartum: Mind
- Baby blues: the first two weeksPostpartum: Mind
- Sleep deprivation: what it does and how to survive itPostpartum: Your Body
- Postpartum warning signs: the one-page listPostpartum: Your Body
- Therapy and medication after birth: what the options arePostpartum: Mind
What mothers here say about postpartum psychosis
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Jones I, Chandra PS, Dazzan P, Howard LM — Bipolar disorder, affective psychosis, and schizophrenia in pregnancy and the post-partum period. The Lancet (2014)
- American Psychiatric Association — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR, 2022)