To be honest, there is no easy way to discuss postpartum psychosis (PPP) as it is a pretty heavy subject.
This condition affects about 0.2% of mothers who have just given birth. It also known as puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis.
To clarify, it is a different condition compared to postpartum depression (PPD) although some of the symptoms may overlap.
Postnatal psychosis is a lot more serious than PPD and requires immediate medical attention.
It is a mental health condition that poses a danger to both mother and baby so it cannot be ignored.
What are the Characteristics of Postpartum Psychosis
Many of the symptoms suffered during postnatal psychosis are similar to those experienced by regular patients.
The symptoms can appear several days after giving birth. However, they can also appear as late as six weeks after birth.
Different women can suffer from PPP for various lengths of time, but most commonly from 2 to 12 weeks.
It can even take up to a year for some mothers to fully recover.
However, the good news is that the right treatment and strong familial support can reverse this condition.
Here are some of the characterising symptoms of postnatal psychosis:
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are when a person experiences something that does not exist, and it can happen with any of the sense.
These include hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling or even tasting something that’s not true.
People who hallucinate cannot tell the difference between which sensations or experiences are real and which are not.
In short, they experience a sensational input when none exists.
Delusions
This is when someone has thoughts, concepts and beliefs that are seemingly ludicrous and have no factual basis.
Others will perceive them to be highly strange or weird in the way they interact.
Those suffering from postnatal psychosis have been documented to suffer from the following types of delusions:
- Persecutory delusions: When one believes that there’s someone or something out to harm them.
- Control delusions: Whereby one believes they no longer control their own thoughts, actions or movements. They may believe that someone else is controlling their life.
- Somatic delusions: When someone believes that there is something wrong with one part of their whole body. A mother suffering from somatic delusions may deny that she was ever pregnant and believe that the baby isn’t hers.
A person’s delusions become dangerous and affect one’s life when they begin to act on it.
For example, an individual with persecutory delusions may refuse to leave the house even for work or to see loved ones.
Manic Episodes
Talking too much, too fast and having racing thoughts are some of the symptoms of mania.
Patients may also feel like they are invincible, overly joyful and ‘on top of the world’.
Mania can also involved an individual jumping rapidly between topics when talking.
Often these topics are not logically connected and don’t fit with common sense.
There are also cases where women suffer delirious mania, which is a more extreme case.
At this stage, severe confusion and detachment from reality is common.
Those suffering from delirium can resort to violence. This is why hospitalisation is usually involved.
Mood Swings
In addition to mania, women can also swing to experiencing episodes of feeling ‘low’ or depressed.
Periods of being ‘high’ are followed by periods of feeling down and depressed in a cyclical fashion.
In many cases, patients go from mania to hypomania (a lesser form of mania) and then to depression.
Thoughts of Self Harm or Harming Others
Mothers often display these thoughts when they go through periods of depression.
Auditory or visual hallucinations often exacerbate the situation.
Other symptoms and experiences connected with postnatal psychosis include:
- Confusion and disorganisation
- Sleep pattern disruptions, either sleeping too much or too little
- Easily irritated and angry
- Depersonalisation, where one feels they are no longer themselves and describe it as being out of their bodies
What Causes Postpartum Psychosis
Researchers have not pinpointed the exact cause of postpartum psychosis.
However, several data supported theories exist.
Among the more plausible causes include:
A History of Postpartum Psychosis
If a mother has suffered PPP before during a previous birth, she has an increased chance of developing the same symptoms with subsequent ones.
Women with a history of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder have increased chances of developing PPP.
Furthermore, a family history of psychosis, whether postpartum or not, also contributes to increasing the possibility of it happening.
Postpartum Hormonal Changes
There is some evidence pointing towards the changing hormone levels in a mother’s body and the triggering of PPP. In particular, the plummeting of oestrogen and increase in prolactin.
However, the data is still preliminary and we require more research and evidence.
Other Underlying Conditions
There have been several research papers providing preliminary proof to link certain conditions to PPP.
These include a lack of vitamin B1 and B12, a lack of sleep, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, thyroid disorders, eclampsia and pre-eclampsia.
What Can Be Done to Help
PPP is treatable and mothers who suffer from it have a high chance of recovery.
However, they have to receive the correct treatment and have proper support from their loved ones.
The first step in treating PPP is to acknowledge that it is happening and to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How Postpartum Psychosis is Treated
A trained medical professional will first evaluate the patient, and perform urine or blood tests if necessary.
In some instances, imaging such as an MRI will also be carried out.
Hospitalisation is one of the treatments for PPP, based on the severity of their symptoms.
This is to prevent them from harming themselves or those around them.
In cases like these, family members will have to decide on the hospitalisation as the patient may be unable to make sound judgment.
Commonly, treatment involves drugs like antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and lithium.
Alternatively, there’s also Electroconvulsive therapy and psychological therapy.
Most of the time, treatment involves a combination of these.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
It is important for family members, especially husbands and partners to be alert.
Ignoring the symptoms of PPP and hoping that they get better on their own is not a solution.
Neither is seeking alternative forms of treatment instead of medical care.
Untreated mothers with psychosis have been known to harm themselves and their babies.
Therefore, prompt action is necessary.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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