How To Reduce The Risk of Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum Psychosis is a very debilitating condition that can have terrible consequences for all involved.

This isn’t just the case for the person with the condition. Instead, their child, their partner, and wider family are also all affected.

Some people are considered to be at a higher risk of developing postpartum psychosis. However, there are ways of reducing this risk, as will be discussed in this article.

What is Postpartum Psychosis?

Postpartum Psychosis: Postpartum Psychosis is a serious condition that affects someone soon after they have given birth. The condition involves the mother showing signs of psychosis, and is a medical emergency. Treatment is available, with the focus being on ensuring the safety of the mother, their child, and the wider family.

Who has a higher risk of getting Postpartum Psychosis?

Anyone with a pre-existing mental health condition – such as Depression or an Eating Disorder – is at a heightened risk of developing the condition.

However, this risk is higher when a person has a diagnosis of a condition that already involves psychosis as a symptom.

For instance, this includes Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis conditions, and illnesses on the Schizophrenic Spectrum.

Research suggests that more than 40% of those with the condition have no history of severe mental illness, although almost 60% of cases involve a recurrence of pre-existing conditions [1].

It is important to state that if you have one of these conditions, that although the risk is heightened, it doesn’t mean you will certainly develop the condition.

How to reduce the risk of getting Postpartum Psychosis

It is important that anyone involved in your care knows about your mental health condition. For example, whilst those involved in your existing care will probably know about your condition, it doesn’t mean that everyone will.

Others involved in your care should know too. This includes your midwife, obstetrician and any health visitor you may have.

By knowing that you have an increased risk of Postpartum Psychosis, they should be able to put in place proper care and support in case you do develop the condition.

Additionally, if you are aware of what triggers episodes of illness, then this is useful. For example, if you know that a lack of sleep or stress contributes to problems, try to get more sleep and engage in stress management techniques.

It is normal for anyone with an increased risk of the condition to have a pre-birth planning meeting, normally at around 32 weeks of pregnancy.

This meeting should be attended by anyone involved in your care. For example, this includes your partner, family members, existing mental health professionals, GP, midwife and health visitor.

A plan that details the risks, the care you will receive during pregnancy and care post-birth, will be created. This plan will also feature strategies that can be employed in the event of symptoms appearing.

In the first few weeks following the birth of your baby, the house should be visited a few times by various health professionals – including a mental health nurse, a midwife, and a health visitor.

In most cases, Postpartum Psychosis won’t appear. But it is good to be prepared in case it does.

Summary

Postpartum Psychosis is – like any condition involving psychotic symptoms – a very serious illness. But by having steps in place ahead of giving birth, it can help to reduce the likelihood of it happening.

As part of this risk reduction, having strategies in place to deal with any symptoms that do appear post-birth is very helpful, and will hopefully limit any harm.

See Also

• What is the Difference Between a Hallucination and a Delusion?
• What is the Difference Between Mania and Hypomania?
• Stress: What is it and How to Cope with it?
• Eriksson Twins: The Horrors of Shared Psychosis
• Martha Mitchell: Delusions Can Be Real