How to Get Rid of Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a severe but extremely rare (1 or 2 women in 1,000) disorder that can develop in the postpartum period. This illness is characterized by a loss of contact with reality for extended periods of time.

Presenting symptoms include severe insomnia, agitation and restlessness, hallucinations, paranoia and delusions focused on the baby. Homicidal and suicidal thought are not uncommon.

Women with a history of bipolar affective disorder or postpartum affective psychosis have a greatly increased risk for recurrence of psychosis following subsequent pregnancies.

Postpartum psychosis affects an even smaller percentage of postpartum women, about 1 in 1,000. This rare form of postpartum depression is more likely to occur in women who have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or if a family member has experienced these diseases. These women will need to be treated in a medical facility with medications and other forms of treatment. The good news is that the illness frequently responds quickly to treatment.

Treatment option of Postpartum psychosis

The use of lithium carbonate for prophylaxis of postpartum psychosis in such women remains controversial. Four women are described with a history of puerperal affective psychosis, who were given lithium prophylactically following delivery and had no recurrence of postpartum psychosis. The rationale for the timing, dosage, and monitoring of lithium administration in this situation is discussed. Given the apparent safety of lithium prophylaxis relative to the dangers of postpartum affective psychosis, more effort should be directed to definitive research to resolve whether lithium prophylaxis is indicated for this population, as contemporary knowledge and these four cases would suggest.

Family support, and educating the family regarding what has occurred is also extremely important. It is important that the affected individual not be labeled a bad mother.

Anti-psychotic medications do pass into the mother's breast milk. Subsequently if the mother has been breastfeeding and continues to do so, the baby needs to be monitored for drowsiness or lethargic behavior, and prescribing the least amount of anti-psychotic medication in order for symptom reduction to occur is also crucial.

Postpartum psychosis is a very serious emergency and requires immediate help. If you or someone you know may be experiencing postpartum psychosis, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.