Postpartum Psychosis: Assessment Tips for You, Your Loved Ones, Your Medical Providers

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TO LOVED ONES AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS

What you need to know

• Does she or anyone in her family have a history of bipolar illness or previous psychosis?

• Is she talking or acting in a strange manner that is not characteristic for her?

• Is she unusually quiet and withdrawn, or speaking rapidly with little concentration, or experiencing rapidly changing moods?

• Do stories and perceptions that make sense to her, not make sense to you?

• Does she claim to hear things or see things that others do not?

• Is she suspicious of others or expressing concern that others are out to get her or trying to harm her in some way?

• Does she have a decreased need for sleep or food and/or exhibit a high degree of confidence or an exaggerated sense of her capabilities or self-worth?

• Does she feel or appear abnormally hyperactive with racing thoughts and/or behaviors?

• Click here for our Postpartum Psychosis Emergency Room Guidelines

TO ALL MOMS

What you need to know

• Do you or anyone in your family have a history of bipolar illness or psychosis?

• Do you feel you have to hide what you are feeling or thinking so no one knows?

• Do you feel like a stranger to yourself?

• Do you feel disconnected from loved ones and friends?

• Are people telling you that you are speaking or acting differently than you usually do?

• Do things that make sense to you not make sense to others?

• Do you have a decreased need for sleep or food and/or feel better than you have ever felt in your life?

• Are your thoughts racing making you feel unable to concentrate or make decisions?

• Do you believe you hear things or see things that others do not?

• Are you suspicious of others or worried that others are out to get you in some way?

• Do you feel confused or disoriented?

TO EVERYONE

What you need to know

• If you are your loved ones are concerned about any of the above items - it is imperative that you reach out for professional help to immediately assess the situation.

• Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness.

• It occurs 1-2 in every 1000 women (0.1%-0.2%) after giving birth.

• PP has an early and rapid onset, typically the first days, or weeks, after having a baby is born.

• Symptoms can change quickly. Symptoms also can ebb and flow, with varying degrees of severity.

• PP is always a psychiatric emergency - Families should go to emergency room or seek help as soon as possible to expedite treatment and reduce risk to mom and baby.

• Prognosis is very good for a full recovery when help is obtained early.