What is postpartum psychosis, what are the symptoms of the severe mental illness and can it be treated?
The NHS warn that it's a 'medical emergency' - which could cause a woman to harm herself, or her baby
POSTPARTUM psychosis (otherwise known as puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis) is a mental illness which can affect any new mother - and could cause her to harm herself, or her baby.
Here's what you need to know about the illness which is thought to affect one in every 1,000 women who give birth...
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness which will affect most mums within two weeks of giving birth.
It should be treated as a medical emergency - and can get rapidly worse if not treated.
In the worst cases, psychosis could cause a new mum to harm her baby or herself.
The two main symptoms are hallucinations, seeing or hearing things which aren't there, and delusions, having thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be true (e.g. that you've won the lottery).
Symptoms:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- High mood/mania: talking too quickly, feeling 'on top of the world' or being more sociable than normal
- Low mood/depression: being withdrawn, tearful, anxious, irritable, and having low energy levels, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping
- Loss of inhibitions
- Paranoia
- Restlessness or agitation
- Severe confusion
What are some examples of postpartum psychosis?
The combination of the two can seriously disrupt someone's perception, thinking, emotions and behaviour.
Kelly Murchison said that postpartum psychosis made her want to kill her twins and herself.
In EastEnders, the illness made Stacey Fowler convinced her son Arthur was the son of God.
While mum-of-one Dorota Donigiewicz was convinced she was James Bond on a mission to save the world.
Scarily, Holly York's psychosis made her want to slit her own throat, and hallucinate she was stepping over her own dead body.
A woman experiencing postpartum psychosis will change mood very quickly, while some may experience symptoms of mania and depression at the same time.
She may not realise she is ill - but the majority of women do make a full recovery, provided they get the right treatment.
What is the cause of postpartum psychosis?
Experts are yet to find a cause for postpartum psychosis.
However, fluctuating hormone levels and sleep patterns are thought to play a role.
Those most at risk include women who already have a serious mental illness, especially bipolar or schizophrenia.
There also appears to be a genetic link and, once a woman develops postpartum psychosis, there's a high chance she will get it again.
NHS advice states: "It's important to understand that postpartum psychosis is not caused by anything the woman did.
"Nor is it caused by stress, relationship problems or a baby being unwanted."
Pregnant women deemed at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis may be offered a pre-birth planning meeting at 32 weeks.
What should I do if someone is suffering from postpartum psychosis?
If someone you know if suffering from postpartum psychosis, you should contact your GP, NHS 111 or out-of-hours service immediately.
If you think there's a danger of her harming herself or others, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
If you're a new mother, and recognise that you may be having a psychotic episode, visit your GP or local A&E immediately.
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