Similar to postpartum depression, recognize the problem of postpartum psychosis & bull; hello healthy

Have you heard of postpartum psychosis before? Postpartum psychosis is a condition that includes mental problems for mothers after childbirth.

Although it is rare, the appearance of this condition should not be ignored because it can lead to seriousness. In order to be quickly detected and handled properly, let's find out various information about postpartum psychosis.

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What is postpartum psychosis?

Mothers who have just given birth or are in the puerperium are prone to mental problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

One thing that mothers may experience is postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that mothers often experience in the days or weeks after delivery.

This mental problem can develop suddenly even within a few hours, even though the mother has never experienced a mental illness.

Usually, mothers with mental problems can experience symptoms for several weeks or more and need immediate treatment.

Postpartum psychosis is also known as puerperal psychosis (puerperal psychosis) or postnatal psychosis (postnatal psychosis).

As mentioned earlier, postpartum psychosis is less common than the baby blues and postpartum depression.

Launching from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, only 1 in 1000 new mothers or about 0.1% will experience symptoms of psychosis after childbirth.

However, when ranked from the most mild symptoms, baby blouse ranks first and postpartum depression in second.

While postpartum psychosis is a form of mental problem with the most severe symptoms, reports from the MGH CENTER for Women's Mental Health.

How common is this condition?

Often times, mothers who have postpartum psychosis also have manic depression (bipolar affective disorder) or schizophrenia .

If you have had previous postpartum psychosis, or have had a mental breakdown while pregnant, you are at risk.

You are more likely to develop postpartum psychosis if you have a family history of mental disorders, particularly bipolar disorder.

However, having these factors does not necessarily mean that you will experience postpartum psychosis after giving birth.

If your midwife and doctor knows you have a risk, they can quickly plan treatment for you.

So, make sure you recognize changes in yourself, especially during normal postpartum care, such as treatment of perineal wounds.

Meanwhile, if you give birth by caesarean section, understand the condition of the body in the post-caesarean section in an attempt to treat a cesarean wound.

It is intended that the caesarean section scar will recover quickly.

What are the symptoms of postpartum psychosis?

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can vary in each mother and usually begin to appear around the first or second week after delivery.

Symptoms usually include mood swings, depression, confusion, hallucinations, and delusions.

Initially you will feel happy, energized, unable to sleep, until then continue with unnatural symptoms.

Postpartum psychosis is more similar to bipolar disorder and manic depression compared to depression.

Each case of postpartum psychosis has different symptoms, but the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Hearing voices and seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Change mood extreme (mood swings)
• Be manic (mood manic), for example talking or thinking too much and quickly, feeling too happy, and so on
• Feeling confused, suspicious, and afraid
• Fantasizing or believing in untrue and illogical things (delusions)
• Shows signs of depression, withdraws from the environment, and cries easily
• Lack of energy, loss of appetite, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping
• Being very aggressive or violent
• Feeling paranoid
• Difficulty concentrating
• Treating babies in inappropriate ways
• Plan to harm yourself and your baby

If you or someone closest to you who has just given birth shows a change in behavior related to these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.

What causes postpartum psychosis?

Taking care of a baby, especially learning to be a new mother, is not an easy matter.

When you are faced with mental problems at the time of having to fulfill your duties as a new mother, you may blame yourself.

In fact, whatever mental problems that occur are not your fault or your partner's fault, including postpartum psychosis.

The causes of postpartum psychosis have nothing to do with intercourse after childbirth, stress, and other possibilities that you might expect.

The existence of genetic factors and family history that have experienced it may be the cause of postpartum psychosis.

In addition, changes in hormone levels and disturbed sleep patterns may also contribute to this mental problem.

Even so, further research is needed to find out the exact cause of postpartum psychosis.

What are the risk factors for postpartum psychosis?

It is not clear what causes postpartum psychosis. However, certain risk factors can increase your chances of experiencing it.

The various risk factors for postpartum psychosis are as follows:

• Have had previous postpartum psychosis
• Have a bipolar type 1 psychiatric disorder or schizophrenia
• Experiencing severe mental problems while pregnant
• Have a family history of severe mental problems, especially bipolar disorder
• Have a mother or sister who has had postpartum psychosis

Mothers who have given birth for the first time are usually more at risk of developing postpartum psychosis than mothers who have given birth before.

The risk of the mother for experiencing postpartum psychosis is also greater if she experiences problems or complications of childbirth that cause childbirth trauma.

How do you deal with postpartum psychosis?

It is important to seek help as soon as possible if your symptoms or someone close to you lead to postpartum psychosis.

If your condition is left untreated, hallucinations and delusions can cause you to do things you would not think of when you are in good health.

This of course can endanger the life of you and your newborn baby.

The type of treatment depends on how severe your condition is and how you breastfeed your baby.

If you want to continue breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe a medication that is safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Treatment for postpartum psychosis is as follows:

1. Administration of drugs

These mental problems can be treated with antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants under the supervision of a doctor or psychiatrist.

The following drugs can be given to help treat postpartum psychosis:

• Antidepressants to relieve depression.
• Antipsychotics to relieve manic and psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.
• A sedative or mood stabilizer to prevent symptoms from recurring.

If necessary, your doctor may advise you to be hospitalized for a while.

While babies can be taken care of by spouses, other family members, as well baby sitter .

2. Psychological therapy

Your doctor may also recommend that you undergo talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is talk therapy that can help you manage problems by changing how you think and behave.

3.Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a type of brain stimulation that is sometimes recommended if all other treatment options have failed.

You are also advised to undergo this therapy when the condition is life threatening.

Most mothers who experience postpartum psychosis recover completely after receiving appropriate treatment.

Most women recover from postpartum psychosis within a few weeks of treatment, but complete recovery can take longer.

How long will it take for it to recover?

Symptoms of severe postpartum psychosis can last up to 12 weeks.

Usually, it will take about 6-12 months for you to completely recover from the condition.

Postpartum psychosis is often followed by anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, so it takes time to recognize your condition.

Even so, having strong support from your spouse, family, and other loved ones can help make it easier for you to get through this difficult time.

After undergoing proper treatment, the mother's condition with postpartum psychosis can be completely cured as before.

So, if you have ever had a mental breakdown and are concerned about postpartum psychosis, discuss it with your midwife or doctor.

If you think you or someone you know may have postpartum psychosis, seek medical help immediately.

Although this is a serious condition, most women make a full recovery with proper treatment.

Can it prevent postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis prevention can be done with consultation and proper treatment from a doctor during pregnancy if you are at risk for this problem.

In fact, consultation and treatment can be done while you are planning or before pregnancy.

Do not forget, after giving birth, you should still regularly check with your doctor to detect and treat early if there is a possibility that you have mental problems.