Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Psychosis occurs in approximately 1-2 out of every 1,000 deliveries, or approximately .1 -.2% of births. The onset is usually sudden, most often within the first 2 weeks postpartum, but can appear any time in the first year.
Symptoms can include:
- Delusions or strange beliefs
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Feeling very irritated
- Hyperactivity
- Severe depression or flat affect
- Decreased need for or inability to sleep
- Paranoia and suspiciousness
- Rapid mood swings
- Difficulty communicating at times
Slaying the Monstrous Misconceptions about Postpartum Psychosis: A Roundtable Discussion
A free 90-minute roundtable webinar for media, clinicians, family members and the general public. Presented by advocates with lived expertise of postpartum psychosis.
Support for Families Touched by Postpartum Psychosis
Pregnancy & Postpartum Psychosis Support for Survivors (Moms & Birthing People)
Recognizing Postpartum Psychosis
The Postpartum Psychosis Project at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health has a great information sheet on Recognizing Postpartum Psychosis that mothers and family can reference.
Action on Postpartum Psychosis has two guides:
Pregnancy & Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day
PPP (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Psychosis Awareness Day was launched by survivors on May 7th, 2021 in an effort to raise awareness about the most devastating of perinatal mental health disorders. We are determined to continue to share, remember, honor and raise awareness for this distinct and traumatizing disease on May 5th, 2023 and every year and every day.
One of the founders of PPP Awareness Day established Cherished Mom, a nonprofit that promotes awareness and education for perinatal mental health and the importance of self-care to new moms, families, healthcare professionals and the community. Though based out of TN, there's plenty of information, education, stories, a blog, and a podcast for anyone to access.
TED Talks
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis
A survivor talks about her two experiences with PPP.
Let's Talk About Postpartum Depression
Don't let the title confuse you, this survivor talks about her experience with both PPD and PPP.
This survivor had no previous diagnosis of mental illness when she experienced a sudden psychotic break after the birth of her daughter. Since then, she has become a leading advocate, writer, speaker and consultant regarding pregnancy and postpartum psychosis.
Podcasts
Mom & Mind - A Personal Story of Postpartum Psychosis Ep. 102
A mother of twins shares her experience with postpartum psychosis following the birth of twins and her mom joins to share her perspective.
Mom & Mind - Postpartum Psychosis, A Mother's Story Ep. 65
A survivor, now advocate, shares her story with postpartum psychosis and her recovery journey.
National Public Radio
She Wanted To Be The Perfect Mom, Then Landed In A Psychiatric Unit
A quick read, or 6-minute listen, to a survivor's experience of a break in reality that included helicopters circling her home, snipers on the roof, a car ride to jail, and very weird messages on her cellphone.
Rethinking Postpartum Mental Health Care in the U.S.
A 52-minute listen to better understand why the U.S. is lacking as compared to the U.K. and other countries. Mother and Baby Units are considered the gold standard of inpatient psychiatric care for new mothers in England and several other countries, while only three exist in the U.S. despite mental health issues being one of the leading causes of maternal death. This piece looks at the differences in postpartum mental health care in the U.S. and the U.K, and shares about California’s first inpatient perinatal psychiatry unit listed below.
Survivor Story
Meghan Cliffel interview by Mass. PPD Fund
“It’s a deeply scary experience to go from a rational brain one day to a totally irrational brain the next. When I think about what contributed to my psychosis, I sort of see it from two pieces: one, my own personal tendency to push myself, and certainly the hormones and lack of sleep; and the other, sort of the context or culture that values productivity over humanity."
Inpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Program (California)
El Camino Inpatient Psychiatric Care Women’s Specialty Unit in California is one of four such facilities offered in the U.S. The other three are in Arkansas, North Carolina, and New York.
Books
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness
Offering an understanding of postpartum psychosis, this riveting book explains what happens and why during this temporary and dangerous disorder that develops for some women rapidly after childbirth.
Inferno: A Memoir of Motherhood and Madness
The author recounts her psychotic break three months postpartum. This is a great read for professionals, avid readers, and those recovering from psychosis seeking to normalize the experience.
Films
When the Bough Breaks (2017)
When The Bough Breaks is a feature length documentary about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Narrated and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields, this shocking film uncovers this very public health issue which affects one in five new mothers after childbirth.
Not Carol (2019)
NOT CAROL examines the scourge of postpartum psychosis through the tragic prism of the Carol Coronado murder case. In a judicial system riddled with archaic laws and chronic misunderstanding, Carol's story shines a light on a public health epidemic that is enormous in scale and no one is talking about.