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Is she unusually quiet and withdrawn, or speaking rapidly with little concentration, or experiencing rapidly changing moods?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