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Not every mother's journey is the same, and postpartum psychosis can be a major deterrent to it. It is an uncommon but severe mental illness that can appear shortly after giving birth and can lead to significant changes in mood and behavior.
The term "psychosis" refers to a loss of sense of reality. If you have postpartum psychosis, you might experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), experience paranoia, and have strong delusions (beliefs that don't line up with reality).
Your mood and behavior can be significantly altered as a result. In fact, your mood could change to manic (high energy and racing thoughts), psychotic (altered perception of reality), or depressive (low energy and mood).
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Symptoms of Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis can appear as early as a day or two after delivery or in a couple of weeks or, in rare circumstances, after a few months. Inability to sleep and losing touch with reality are two additional significant early-present symptoms to be aware of.
Hence, it's helpful for you and your spouse to know what to look for once you're back with your child. The signs consist of:
1) Hallucinations:
A hallucination is when your brain simulates input from your senses—typically your eyes, skin or ears—without really receiving any such input. You can't distinguish whether what you see or hear is real or a hallucination since what you experience feels real.
2) Delusions
Delusions are untrue ideas that you may cling to stubbornly. If you have a delusion, you will hold these beliefs so firmly that you won't let go of them, even if you are presented with compelling proof to the contrary. Examples include persecutory delusions (thinking someone is trying to harm you), control delusions (thinking someone is in charge of your body), and somatic delusions (believing you are not the parent of a kid).
3) Other symptoms
- Mood swings like mania (increased activity and mood) and hypomania (lower activity and mood), or depression
- Depersonalization (some people define this as an out-of-body event)
- Unorganized thoughts or actions
- Insomnia
- Anxiety or irritability
- Thoughts of killing oneself or someone
Recognizing signs of postpartum psychosis in oneself is challenging. If you do notice any, you need to seek assistance right away. However, it is more probable that your significant other, a member of your family, or a close friend would observe that you are acting differently. If so, they should seek assistance right away to get you the attention you require.
Postpartum Psychosis Treatment
Psychosis following childbirth requires immediate medical attention. It needs to be dealt with because otherwise it could swiftly get worse and turn harmful. The good news is that it can be treated.
The following steps could be part of the postpartum psychosis treatment:
1) Medications
Individuals with this condition may benefit from a wide variety of drug types. These types consist of:
- Medicine that is antipsychotic
- Stabilizers of mood
- Anti-seizure medication
- Lithium
2) Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT)
A safe and highly efficient way to treat conditions involving psychosis is electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). To cause a minor seizure, a small electrical current is passed through your brain during this procedure. The effects of that seizure alter brain function in a way that lessens or eliminates postpartum psychosis.
Due to its gruesome representations in literature, television, and film, ECT frequently has a bad reputation. However, ECT is performed when the patient is unconscious and under general anesthetic, so they won't experience any pain or suffering.
After the patient falls asleep, medical professionals will attach electrodes to the head to conduct an electrical current into a particular region of the brain. A provider can use an injectable drug to interrupt a lengthier seizure if it lasts more than two minutes for these seizures. After an ECT procedure, the majority of patients usually wake up within 15 minutes and can walk around for 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, there is no information on how to manage this ailment because it is so uncommon. However, additional research is required before specialists can determine the most effective ways to treat this illness.
Postpartum psychosis is much more common than you think. It affects 1 in 1000 women. Out of those mothers, 4% will kill their child or children, and 5% will kill themselves. A mental health professional can help you and your partner recognize early signs of either postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis.
Go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you or a loved one is contemplating self-harm or you are concerned for the safety of your infant. It is never too late to seek help.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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