Signs of postpartum psychosis

Each year, up to 1200 new mothers suffer from postpartum psychosis, a new study suggests. So, what exactly is the condition?

SUDDEN AND SEVERE ONSET

Sometimes referred to as puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis, postpartum psychosis is a mental illness that happens right after giving birth.

“It is a sudden onset, serious mental health illness that presents in the immediate postnatal period, usually within two weeks after giving birth. However, there are cases where it can go undetected for several weeks,” says Sarah Oliver, a therapeutic practitioner at the For Baby’s Sake Trust. This is because it may be mistaken for “baby blues”.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Oliver says symptoms can vary from mother to mother but can generally be defined by sudden onset severe depression, often accompanied by elevated mood, hypomania and manic episodes.

DELUSIONS AND HALLUCINATIONS

“This can sometimes involve the baby, such as believing an evil spirit possesses the baby, that they have harmed the baby in some way, or believe the baby is not theirs,” she continues.

PERSONALITY CHANGES

According to Oliver, personality changes are also a symptom. A new mother with postpartum psychosis may come across as a completely different person to the person their loved ones know and recognise, inhibitions may be lowered, and they may do things they’d never usually do.

HOW CAN MOTHERS WITH BE SUPPORTED?

“Friends and family are integral to timely emergency care, as they may notice unusual symptoms and [someone seeming] out of character more keenly than professionals, who may not know the mother well enough to make these kinds of observations.

“Mothers are usually admitted to specialist mother and baby units, where they can receive the expert care they need while remaining with their babies. They can be supported with continuing to breastfeed and can receive guidance on which medications to resolve the psychosis are compatible with continued breastfeeding,” says Oliver.

For immediate support make an emergency GP appointment for assessment, or go to A&E or call 999 for a prompt diagnosis and treatment.