Postnatal psychosis develops suddenly and can cause severe changes in mood, behaviour and thinking. Recognising the signs early is important because postnatal psychosis is a medical emergency.
You might also hear the term postpartum psychosis. Both terms describe the same condition. PANDA uses the term postnatal psychosis.
Postnatal psychosis is a medical emergency because it can cause destructive, impulsive thoughts and behaviours that may endanger the safety and lives of parents, their babies and loved ones.
Seeking treatment as soon as possible is the fastest route to recovery.
Real stories about postnatal psychosis
Rosie’s story: overcoming postnatal psychosis while living regionally
Mental Health Lines (24/7)
If you think someone may be experiencing postnatal psychosis, call your local area Mental Health Line (24/7) for advice and support.
ACT Mental Health Triage Service - 1800 629 354 (24/7)
NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511 (24/7)
NT Mental Health Line - 1800 682 288 (24/7)
QLD Acute Care Team - 1300 642 255 (24/7)
SA Mental Health Triage Service - 13 14 65 (24/7)
TAS Mental Health Service Helpline - 1800 332 388 (24/7)
VIC go here for mental health services in your area, or call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (24/7)
WA Mental Health Emergency Response Line 1800 676 822 (24/7)
“I knew there was something wrong with me. I would just sit and write in a diary. Thoughts were just ramming into my brain, and I was scared that I would forget them. I felt every thought was so important, and I had to put it down on paper.”
Signs and symptoms to look out for
Early warning signs of postnatal psychosis
Inability to sleep, even when the opportunity to do so is present. For instance, when baby is napping or someone else is caring for bub to allow a new parent to get some rest.
Decades of research indicate that inability to sleep can be the first major warning sign of an episode of postnatal psychosis. It’s common for new parents to experience disrupted sleep, especially overnight during the first few months when babies wake often to feed.
If someone isn’t sleeping at all for days and nights on end, encourage them to speak to their doctor and/or child health nurse as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to attend the appointment with them for support.
Changes in energy levels
- Agitated, restless and manic. Unable to relax or stop moving.
- Full of energy and motivated, with an intense need to get things done.
- Low energy and lack of interest in daily life (known as anhedonia)
Changes in mood
- Extreme and sudden mood swings, severe highs and lows.
- Persistently depressed or extremely euphoric and excitable mood (mania)
- Withdrawn and secretive, unusually quiet or sullen.
- Aggressive or violent behaviour.
Changes in behaviour
- Reduced appetite, forgetting or refusing to eat and drink.
- Unusually organised, in time management overdrive.
- Talking quickly, often not finishing sentences or talking in circles.
- Making lots of unrealistic plans.
- Impulsive overspending.
- Irritable and argumentative.
- Withdrawing from everyone.
- Difficulty coping with regular activities such as caring for baby, household tasks.
Changes in thoughts and perception
- Difficulty concentrating or severe confusion.
- Forgetful, disorganised thoughts and speech.
- Paranoid and feeling suspicious of others.
- Disconnected from reality, sensing things that are not real.
- May believe they’re all powerful or invincible.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless and worthless - especially as a parent.
- Thoughts of harming themself and/or hurting the baby.
- Thoughts of suicide: May have intent and a plan.
Your loved one may not tell anyone they’re experiencing the symptoms below unless someone gently asks. It’s best to be compassionate, curious and nonjudgmental:
Hallucinations: Hearing voices, seeing, touching or smelling things that aren’t there.
Delusions are unusual, obsessive thoughts and beliefs. Delusions may include but are not limited to:
- Thinking they and/or their baby have special powers
- Thinking they and/or their baby are defective, bad or ‘evil’ in some way.
- Believing their baby isn’t theirs. This is different to bonding issues. (link)
- Thinking someone is trying to harm their baby.
- Experiencing intense feelings of shame or guilt. May feel like punishing themselves for being a bad person or parent.
Often because they are so unwell, it’s common for someone experiencing postnatal psychosis to be resistant to seeking help – angry, afraid, or even in denial that anything is wrong.
Psychotic episodes may vary in their frequency, intensity and duration as well. Sometimes your loved one may seem like themselves for a while, then enter another episode of psychosis. Most often it’s up to the people that care for them and their baby to take that first brave step to seek help.
You may be feeling worried or guilty, wondering if you’re doing the right thing by seeking support from health professionals. It might help to know that we hear from new parents and their families on the PANDA Helpline every day who say that act of seeking help for suspected postnatal psychosis was life-changing, even lifesaving.
Postnatal psychosis does not resolve by itself – professional treatment, often at an inpatient facility may be needed. There is strong hope for recovery with the right support.
The sooner a person accesses help for postnatal psychosis, the quicker their recovery journey.
Articles
More information about postnatal psychosis
Stories
Real stories about postnatal psychosis
Real stories about postnatal psychosis