Most of us have probably heard the term “baby blues,” which refers to a period of time in which a person experiences mild mood changes after giving birth. Now, this is totally normal. On the other hand, postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a serious mental illness that should be treated as a medical emergency. Sometimes called puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis, postpartum psychosis affects 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth. Let’s discuss.
What Is Postpartum Psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a mental health condition that occurs after giving birth. And while it is rare and reversible, it can be extremely dangerous. In fact, mothers who experience postpartum psychosis are at a greater risk of harming themselves or their children, so it’s important to seek help immediately if you or someone you know is showing signs of it.
Who Does Postpartum Psychosis Affect?
PPP can affect anyone who has recently given birth. Typically, people start showing signs a few days following birth but can exhibit symptoms as late as six weeks postpartum. The odds of PPP are greater among those with certain other mental health conditions.
What Are the Symptoms of PPP?
Two main PPP symptoms distort a person’s sense of reality:
- Hallucinations: These occur when the brain believes it’s receiving input from other senses when it isn’t. This results in a person being unable to tell the difference between what is real and what is not.
- Delusions: These are false beliefs that a person clings to strongly, such as the idea that someone is out to get them or that they were never pregnant or gave birth.
Other symptoms include:
- Mood changes
- Depersonalization
- Disorganized thinking or behavior
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming others
- Loss of inhibitions
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Severe insomnia
- Feeling disconnected from their child
What Causes PPP?
While experts can’t pinpoint exactly why some people suffer from PPP, there are several factors they believe work together, including:
- A history of mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia
- Number of pregnancies (PPP is most common among people who just had their first baby)
- Family history of mental health conditions, especially PPP
- Sleep deprivation
- Hormone changes
Your risk of PPP goes up if:
- This is your first baby.
- Your pregnancy was unplanned.
- You experienced big mood swings during your pregnancy.
- You stopped taking psychiatric medications during your pregnancy.
Treating Postpartum Psychosis
As mentioned, PPP is treatable, but because the condition is rare, there isn’t much research on how to treat it. Here is what we know so far.
Medications
A number of medications may help treat PPP, such as antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers, antiseizure drugs, and lithium.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
ECT is a treatment that passes a mild electrical current through the brain to induce a mild seizure. The effects cause changes in brain activity to reduce or resolve the effects of PPP. ECT happens under general anesthesia. Once asleep, a healthcare provider places electrodes on the person’s head to pass an electrical current through a specific part of the brain. The seizure lasts less than two minutes, and most people wake up within 15 minutes of the procedure.
Involuntary Hospitalization
Because a person’s perception of reality can be completely distorted, many people with PPP are unaware they have a problem. Hallucinations and delusions often make them afraid to seek help. Because of this, inpatient mental healthcare is often involuntary. It’s important to note that this option is for when the person is believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Important Note
If you suspect someone you love is showing signs of PPP, never leave them alone with themselves or their children. People experiencing PPP have a higher risk of suicide or harming their children.