Postpartum psychosis is a severe psychiatric disorder that occurs in some women following childbirth, characterized by symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, mood disturbances, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety. It develops abruptly within the first few weeks after delivery in less than 2 in 1000 deliveries. The cause is unknown but risk factors include genetic predisposition, hormonal changes after birth, personal or family history of mental illness, substance abuse and lack of social support. Rapid hospitalization is needed if the safety of the baby or mother is at risk. Treatment involves medication, counseling and family education. Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment due to potential effects of medications in breastmilk.

1. POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS

2. POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC
DISORDERS
• POSTPARTUM PERIOD OR PUERPERIUM PERIOD :
Period of about six weeks after child birth during
which the mother’s reproductive organ return to
their original non – pregnant condition .
• PSYCHIATRY : It is that branch of medical science ,
which deals with the study , diagnosis , treatment
and prevention of mental illness and behavioral
disorders .

3. POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC
DISORDERS
TYPES
1) POSTNATAL BLUES – Mild depression and
irritability .
2) POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS – Severe
psychiatric symptoms including depressive
episodes , schizophrenia , manic episodes or
delirium .

4. POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
• Postpartum psychosis ( puerperal psychosis or
postnatal psychosis ) is an acute mental
disorder or a psychotic reaction occurring in a
woman following childbirth or abortion .
• The postpartum psychotic woman usually
develops symptoms within the first 2 -3 weeks
after delivery .

5. EPIDEMIOLOGY
INCIDENCE
• More common in primiparous than
multiparous women .
• Occurs in less than 1 or 2 per 1000 deliveries .
ONSET
• Abrupt , especially within about 3 to 10 days
after delivery or 3 to several weeks after
delivery .

6. AETIOLOGY
• The precise cause is unknown . However ,the following serve
as risk factors :
1. Genetic / Hereditary
2. Hormonal changes e.g Oestrogen , progesterone etc .
3. Family or personal h/o mental illness .
4. Substance abuse
5. Lack of social and emotional support , Death of loved ones ,
Low self esteem , poor marital relationship , childcare stress ,
Infant temperament problems etc
6. Unwanted or Unplanned pregnancy.
7. Financial problems , Low socioeconomic status .

7. ORGANIC CAUSES
• Ischaemic or Haemorrhagic stroke
• Hyponatraemia / Hypernatraemia ,
Hypogylcemia / hyperglycemia etc .
• Thyroid or parathyroid abnormalities
• Vitamin B12 , Folate or Thiamine deficiencies
• Side effects of medication
• Sepsis

8. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Hallucinations : e.g auditory –commanding the patient
to kill the baby .
• Delusions : e.g baby is messiah or embodiment of evil .
• Insomnia
• Depersonalisation
• Crying spells
• Agitation / feeling of anxiety
• Feeling of resentment
• Feeling of inadequacy
• Feeling misrecognition
• Mood disturbances e.g manic or depressive .

9. COMPLICATIONS
• Suicide
• Infanticide
• Homicidal thoughts
• Lack of normal mother-infant bond .
• Marital or family problems

10. MANAGEMENT
• Rapid hospitalisation if she is thought to pose
a threat to baby , herself or others .
• Medication / pharmacotherapy :
a)Antipsychotic drugs
b) Antidepressants
c) Antianxiety drugs
• Psycological counselling i.e. psycotherapy
• Education for mother and family

11. BREASTFEEDING
• Breastfeeding is contraindicated in case of
puerperal psychosis as most of antipsychotics
are excreted in breastmilk.
• Mothers on lithium treatment should be
encouraged not to breast feed due to
potential toxicity in infants .
• Baby should be monitored for side effects in
case of prescribed breastfeeding women.

12. STAY HOME AND BE SAFE !!
THANK YOU