Postpartum psychosis is a rare, severe, and dangerous form of
postpartum depression that can suddenly develop within the first 3 weeks
following childbirth. A woman with postpartum psychosis may feel detached from
her baby and other people; have hallucinations involving smell, touch, sight,
or hearing; have thoughts not based in reality (delusions); display bizarre
behavior; or have urges to kill herself and her child or children.
Postpartum psychosis is most likely to affect women who have
bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, or who have had postpartum
psychosis before. It is possible for a woman with postpartum psychosis to hide
her symptoms from people close to her, though not indefinitely. Untreated
postpartum psychosis can worsen rapidly and lead to dangerous, irrational
behavior that a woman cannot control.
Postpartum psychosis is considered a psychiatric emergency
requiring immediate hospitalization and treatment.
