Postpartum psychosis

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Depressed woman

Complete blood count and differential

Postpartum psychosis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Delusions, hallucinations, mania, depression, confusion
Complications	N/A
Onset	Within 2 weeks after childbirth
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, but risk factors include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and family history
Risks	Previous history of postpartum psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, family history
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation
Differential diagnosis	Postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Hospitalization, antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizers, electroconvulsive therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Good with treatment, but risk of recurrence in future pregnancies
Frequency	1 to 2 per 1000 births
Deaths	N/A

Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness that can affect a woman after she has a baby. It causes her to lose touch with reality. You might also hear it called puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can be divided into early and late onset. Early onset symptoms include restlessness, irritability, and insomnia. Late onset symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and often symptoms of mania or depression.

Early onset

• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Insomnia

Late onset

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Mania
• Depression

Causes

The exact cause of postpartum psychosis is unknown. However, it's likely that a combination of physical, genetic, and emotional factors contribute to the condition.

Treatment

Treatment for postpartum psychosis involves medication, therapy, and, in severe cases, hospitalization.

Medication

Medication can include antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and, in some cases, antidepressants.

Therapy

Therapy can help the woman to understand and cope with her symptoms. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other types of therapy.

Hospitalization

In severe cases, the woman may need to be hospitalized until her symptoms are under control.

See also

• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum anxiety
• Postnatal depression
• Puerperal disorder