04/26/2025
Pregnancy and postpartum psychosis (PPP) is the most severe yet treatable of maternal mental health conditions, impacting 1-2 women per 1,000 live births, and with immediate medical attention, those suffering can overcome and thrive. Because of the increased risk of su***de and infanticide, seeking help is a powerful step towards healing and recovery.
Instead of using the word “rare” to describe something as dangerous as PPP, we should instead educate people and their families that PPP can happen to anyone who becomes pregnant or gives birth, which is why everyone should be aware and prepared for it. Doing this could save someone’s life.
First, the hallucinations and delusions themselves can be traumatic. Second, the realization of the experience can also be traumatic: the knowledge that you have “lost your mind” can be shattering. It can feel like your mind has betrayed you. It can cause self-doubt, fear of relapse, and even shame.
survivors talk about grieving — grieving being separated from their baby if they are hospitalized, and grieving for the experience they thought motherhood would be. And, of course, there is the impact of the experience on their family, partner, and others in the home.
You are not alone. Although rare it is not unlikely! We will hold your hand and sit with you 💕 don’t worry everything is fine.
