Postpartum psychosis
Overview
Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby.It affects around 1 in 1,000 mothers after giving birth.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually start suddenly within the first 2 weeks after giving birth - often within hours or days of giving birth. More rarely, they can develop several weeks after the baby is born. Symptoms can include: hallucinations– hearing, seeing, smelling or feeling things that are not theredelusions – suspicions, fears, thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be truemania – feeling very "high" or overactive, for example, talking and thinking too much or too quickly, restlessness or losing normal inhibitionsa low mood – showing signs ofdepression, being withdrawn or tearful, lacking energy, having a loss of appetite, anxiety, agitation or trouble sleepingsometimes a mixture of both a manic mood and a low mood - or rapidly changing moodsfeeling very confused
Causes
It's not clear what causes postpartum psychosis, but you're more at risk if you: already have a diagnosis ofbipolar disorderorschizophreniahave a family history of mental illness, particularly postpartum psychosis (even if you have no history of mental illness)developed postpartum psychosis after a previous pregnancy
Treatment
You may be prescribed 1 or more of the following: antipsychotics – to help with manic and psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinationsmood stabilisers (for example,lithium) – to stabilise your mood and prevent symptoms recurringantidepressants– to help ease symptoms if you have significant symptoms of depression and may be used alongside a mood stabiliser Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is sometimes recommended if all other treatment options have failed, or when the situation is thought to be life threatening. As you move forward with your recovery, you may benefit from seeing a therapist forcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
When to see a doctor
Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that should be treated as a medical emergency. It can get worse rapidly and the illness can risk the safety of the mother and baby. See a GP immediately if you think you, or someone you know, may have developed symptoms of postpartum psychosis. You should request an urgent assessment on the same day. You can call 111 if you cannot speak to a GP or do not know what to do next. Your midwife or health visitor may also be able to help you access care. Call your crisis team if you already have a care plan because you've been assessed as being at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis. Go to A&E or call 999 if you think you, or someone you know, may be in danger of imminent harm. Be aware that if you have postpartum psychosis, you may not realise you're ill. Your partner, family or friends may spot the signs and have to take action.