Postpartum psychosis is a rare but very serious mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations, confusion, and erratic behavior. It can come on quickly within the first two weeks postpartum and requires immediate medical attention. You’re more at risk for postpartum psychosis if you have a history of bipolar disorder or if you’ve had a previous psychotic episode. Treatment involves hospitalization, medication, and therapy, and most people make a full recovery in time. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, reach out for help right away.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- What is postpartum psychosis?
- What are the symptoms of postpartum psychosis?
- What causes postpartum psychosis?
- What is the treatment for postpartum psychosis?
- Are there any long-term effects of postpartum psychosis?
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis, also known as puerperal psychosis, is a rare, but very serious condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, confusion, and erratic or disorganized behavior. Many moms suffering from postpartum psychosis may experience delusions that leave them feeling like they’re out of control, in grave danger, or as if someone is trying to harm them or their baby.
Unlike the baby blues or postpartum depression, the latter of which affects about 1 in 8 new moms, postpartum psychosis is very rare. It occurs in about 1 to 2 of every 1,000 deliveries.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness that can worsen quickly and requires immediate medical intervention – when it’s left untreated, it could lead to a new mom seriously harming herself or her baby. The experience of postpartum psychosis can be frightening for both those experiencing it and the people who love them, but the condition is treatable. In fact, the majority of those who receive adequate treatment for postpartum psychosis make a full recovery.
What are the symptoms of postpartum psychosis?
While other postpartum mood disorders may manifest more slowly, postpartum psychosis comes on suddenly. It most often occurs within the first two weeks postpartum, though in some cases may present within the first two to three days after giving birth.
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis include:
- Depression, mania, or a combination of the two
- Racing thoughts
- Confusion and cognitive impairment that may come and go
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Disorganized or erratic behavior
- Feeling detached from reality
- Rapid and uncontrollable mood swings
Postpartum psychosis symptoms can vary and change quickly, often within just a few hours. Someone suffering from postpartum psychosis may appear sound of mind one minute and then rapidly spiral into confusion and delusions the next.
If you’re experiencing psychosis, the delusions and hallucinations that may accompany the illness can feel very real, and can result in erratic and dangerous behavior. Research suggests a 5 percent suicide rate and a 4 percent infanticide rate among those who develop postpartum psychosis, which is one reason why the condition is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
That said, it’s important to note that not all delusions are destructive in nature, and the majority of moms who experience postpartum psychosis don’t harm themselves or anyone else. But because the condition involves delusional thinking and irrational judgment, the risk of danger with postpartum psychosis cannot be ignored.
What causes postpartum psychosis?
Researchers haven’t yet pinpointed the exact causes for postpartum psychosis, but many factors are thought to play a role in its onset, including:
- Hormonal shifts after delivery
- Sleep deprivation
- Genetics
It’s possible to experience postpartum psychosis without a prior history of mental illness, but there are some factors that significantly increase your risk of developing the condition, including a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, having experienced a previous psychotic episode, or being diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in the past. These risk factors are present in about 40 to 50 percent of postpartum psychosis cases.
Developing postpartum psychosis (or any postpartum mood disorder) isn’t a personal failure and is often the result of factors outside of your control. Experiencing psychosis doesn’t make you an inadequate mom, but it does mean you need medical treatment to get better.
What is the treatment for postpartum psychosis?
Because postpartum psychosis can come on quickly, change rapidly, and may lead to erratic and dangerous behavior, seeking immediate medical attention is paramount. The condition won’t improve on its own, and those who experience postpartum psychosis need to be treated in a hospital setting.
Inpatient treatment includes medications to help stabilize mood and reduce the symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions. There’s no single medication or ideal combination that completely resolves symptoms for everyone, and working with healthcare providers to find the right dosage and type of medication that works for you can take some time.
The length of hospital stays for those experiencing postpartum psychosis can vary, but, in general, the most severe symptoms can last for about two to 12 weeks. Unfortunately, inpatient treatment for postpartum psychiatric illnesses in the U.S. often doesn’t include accommodations for families, like breast pumps for nursing moms or visitation hours for babies and young children. (This is the norm in many European countries.) But as awareness of postpartum mood disorders and the needs of families continues to grow, this is beginning to change.
If you’re experiencing postpartum psychosis, it’s important to understand that your healthcare providers are there to help you. Treatment for postpartum psychosis doesn’t include someone deeming you an unfit parent or having your baby taken away. Your medical team will help stabilize your mood and reduce your symptoms of psychosis so you can recover and heal.
With proper treatment, the most severe symptoms of postpartum psychosis often fade within three months, but a full recovery can take 6 to 12 months. After hospitalization, ongoing treatment, medication, and therapy are encouraged. Online support groups for those who experienced postpartum psychosis and for their loved ones can also help you find community and build a supportive network.
Are there any long-term effects of postpartum psychosis?
Most people who experience postpartum psychosis make a full recovery, but it can take several months to fully feel like yourself again. As you heal you may experience many emotions, including anger, confusion, embarrassment, and sadness. It may be helpful to talk about these feelings with someone you trust or with a licensed professional counselor.
Experiencing postpartum psychosis once increases your risk of developing it again in subsequent pregnancies by about 30 percent. But with the right support and by being aware of the warning signs, you can quickly seek help should you have another episode.
Here are some ways to develop a plan for addressing your mental health in subsequent pregnancies after experiencing postpartum psychosis:
- Discuss your personal and family history of mental illness with your healthcare provider.
- Plan to lean on your partner or a friend or family member to help out with the baby at night so you can be sure to get adequate rest.
- Tell your partner and loved ones who will be around you postpartum about the early warning signs of postpartum psychosis, like confusion and cognitive impairment.
- Start seeking therapy while you’re pregnant.
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