According to Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit organization with the mission to increase awareness, prevention and treatment of mental illness related to childbearing worldwide, postpartum psychosis was first recognized as a disorder in 1850. Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately 1 to 4 of every 1,000 deliveries (Gaynes et. al, 2005) worldwide. The onset is usually sudden with symptoms including: delusions (strange beliefs) and/or hallucinations, feeling very irritated, hyperactive, and unable to sleep, as well as significant mood changes with poor decision-making. There is a 5% suicide rate and 4% infanticide rate associated with Postpartum Psychosis and thus immediate medical attention is imperative.
Unfortunately, though many women with postpartum psychosis realize something is terribly wrong, fewer than 20% actually speak to their healthcare providers about their concerns and fears. Sadder still is the fact that so often these postpartum psychoses are misdiagnosed or thought to be only postpartum depression — a situation that prevents a woman from receiving adequate medical care.
Used with permission from Glamour Magazine
THE SYMPTOMS OF POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
A short video describing the symptoms of postpartum psychosis from 5min Life Videopedia
POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS- MORE THAN THE BABY BLUES
An article in H News, Canada’s health-care newspaper
APP: ACTION POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
APP is a network of women across the UK and further afield who have experienced PP. It is a collaborative project run by women who have experienced PP and academic experts from Birmingham and Cardiff Universities.
HEALTHY MOM, HAPPY FAMILY: UNDERSTANDING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS
Preview a 13-minute video produced by Postpartum Support International. Available through www.postpartum.net. Helps reassure and educate new mothers, family and helpers. The poignant stories in the video are complemented by up-to-date information from three experts in the field.
THE BOOK UNDERSTANDING POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
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.
PERSONAL STORIES OF POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
News Report from BBC
A MOTHER’S CLIMB OUT OF DARKNESS: A STORY ABOUT OVERCOMING POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
A personal account of a mom’s experience with postpartum psychosis