Post Pregnancy Mental Health

What is it like to have postpartum psychosis? 

Postpartum psychosis is a severe but treatable mental health condition that occurs after or near childbirth. 

I’ve assisted women on the verge of postpartum psychosis, it’s a very emotional and challenging experience where the women are clearly in a state of intense fear.

 Postpartum psychosis like many illnesses present on a spectrum. Symptoms vary and the experiences of post pregnancy psychosis may differ. 

​Prior to any psychotic state prodromal symptoms may appear. Prodromal symptoms are early signs of illness that come before the psychotic episodes.

Contrary to what many think most psychosis usually isn’t a prolonged state of delusions and hallucinations with the person stuck in a trance. It doesn’t last for days (it can) or months and you may not constantly feel that may. Postpartum psychosis can come in waves where you are okay one minute and freaking out the next. The length of suffering from postpartum psychosis isn’t definite either, symptoms can last any where from months to years.

Early intervention is important! 

Recognizing prodromal symptoms and intervening ASAP can help de-escalate or minimize a psychotic break.
Prodromal symptoms for psychotic episodes include:​

In my experience as a mental health counselor I have seen only a few cases of postpartum psychosis and more commonly see instances of Postpartum Depression or elevated anxiety after child birth. Mothers at risk for postpartum psychosis may experience periods of prodromal symptoms including feelings depression or anxiety prior to the presence of psychotic symptoms. You may notice significant changes in personality or odd behavior. Some signs include inattentiveness or unresponsive, impaired memory, and increased sensitivity or easily agitated. If you have recently had a child or a child under the age of 3 and experience these symptoms you may want to consider reaching out to your medical doctor, you may be at risk for other posparrtum disorders.

I’ve assisted women on the verge of postpartum psychosis, it’s a very emotional and challenging experience where the women are clearly in a state of intense fear. Women with a history of anxiety or depressive disorders are more likely to experience symptoms of postpartum disorders.

Psychosis is a psychiatric condition affecting the mind that results in a loss of contact with reality, perceptual disturbance, or trouble with reality testing that leads a person to suffer from hallucinations, delusions, agitation, or incoherence. The person experiencing psychosis may not always be aware that they are experiencing a psychotic episode. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing postpartum psychosis it is imperative that you receive help.  Parental mental health is directly related to child development and in some cases can harm the child.

In one instance I had a mother overwhelmed by the demands of being the mother of a new born and managing her other young children. She found herself extremely irritable and snappy and reported thoughts of assaulting her children. She said she would have graphic intrusive images of slapping and shoving her children and at one time admitted that she feared for their safety. She was in immense distress and stated she felt embarrassed for telling me this.

Another pregnant woman who had previous therapy for postpartum psychosis shared her experiences me and we made a safety plan on how to manage her symptoms when her baby would arrive.

The most recent encounter I had was a new mother telling me about her feelings of inadequacy as a parent and how she believed her baby would be “better off if she wasn’t around.”

If you are experiencing suicidal ideation after pregnancy or delivery seek help immediately! 

On another occasion a mother shared with me that shortly after her delivery she became so worried and fearful about the ability to control her actions that she had to leave her baby in her house unattended while she walked down the street because she had “something” telling her to put her baby in the microwave.

While these stories may sound extreme in nature many new mothers are living in this reality. 

​If you are a new mother experiencing these symptoms the best thing you could do is share your thoughts and feelings with a trained professional. There is help out there!

Postpartum psychosis can be a frightening experience leaving mothers to feel powerless and out of control. If you or someone you love is demonstrating symptoms of a postpartum mental health condition please visit Home for more information. ​

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Raquel Buchanan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #118976) in Palm Springs California.  Raquel is a certified domestic violence group facilitator . She offers counseling and therapy to individuals, families, and children.