Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis also known as puerperal psychosis is a serious mental condition often occurs following childbirth. This disorder is the extreme condition of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is similar to the baby blues in which almost every woman feels the mood swings and emotional issue. This can be resolved with mental and physical rest to body and the brain as well as making the women feels good in a new mother atmosphere. But if the postpartum depression is not handled it leads to postpartum psychosis which needs medical attention. Usually it is described as a period when a women, after the child birth, detaches from the real world. This disorder affects one or two women out of 1000 women who have given child. Hence it is said to be one of the rarest disorders.

Postpartum psychosis is often not diagnosed thinking that it is a postpartum depression and the proper medical care needed is not given. Many women find it difficult to speak about this mental issue to their health provider thus leading to tragic consequences. Some of the common symptoms of postpartum psychosis are hallucinations, illogical thoughts, suicidal thoughts, and insomnia, extreme feelings like anxiety or agitation and delusions. Causes of postpartum depression are not found out yet, still the experts say that the hormonal imbalance in a women’s body after child birth changes the biological system and it leads to various depressions. These depressions when not cured or given proper attention, lead to postpartum psychosis. It needs special care and medical attention and is treated by supplying antidepressants or ant anxiety drugs and antipsychotic drugs. It is also treated by psychological counseling and group therapies followed by a sequence of general counseling classes. These are worldwide disorders and if left untreated, can last for months. Postpartum psychosis is considered to be a mental health emergency and proper love and care should be provided from the loved ones.