What is postpartum psychosis.
Having a new born baby can bring many physical and mental changes. They may include the danger of developing postpartum psychosis. People with this mental disorder may have hallucinations, delusion, confusion, and changes in mood. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can come on quickly and usually start within four weeks of giving birth.
Postpartum psychosis is quite just mild mood changes. It must be treated by a psychological state professional.
WHAT IS POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS?
Postpartum psychosis is infrequent but severe and can cause a new mother to lose touch with real life. People with this mental distress may hear voices or see things that are not there and believe things that are not true. They may also exhibit paranoia and rapid mood swings.
Most cases of postpartum psychosis occur within two weeks of delivery, but they can come on as soon as two to three days after giving birth. Research has shown that most individuals who develop postpartum psychosis immediately after childbirth either have mental depression, which is characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, or schizoaffective disorder, which causes symptoms of mood disorders and schizophrenia.
Postpartum psychosis should be considered a medical emergency, especially because symptoms may cause thoughts of harm.
CAUSES
A history of mental depression disorder is that the best-recognized risk factor of postpartum psychosis. However, it has been found that up to half those that experience postpartum psychosis have not any prior history of mental disease.
A potential contributor to the rapid mood swings seen in postpartum psychosis is a decrease in pregnancy hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone, which plummet in the postpartum period, affecting functions of the mood-associated neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Significant risk factors of postpartum psychosis include:
Being a first-time mother
A previous psychotic episode
Extremes of reproductive age (being very young or very old)
Family history of bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis
Sleep deprivation, which is both a risk factor and symptom
Cesarean delivery (C-section)
Withdrawal from mood-stabilizing medications
Postpartum complications with the new-born or mother
Postpartum system changes could also contribute to postpartum psychosis. During bipolar episodes, an individual's system modulators (cytokines) are elevated. This is also commonly observed in postpartum psychosis.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION VS POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
A severe hormonal drop happens in the 48 hours after giving birth, and it can cause mild mood swings. This period is unofficially called the baby blues. If the baby blues do not resolve on their own after a few days and symptoms of depression occur for at least two weeks, you may have postpartum depression (PPD).
Symptoms of postpartum depression can include:
Mood swings and crying spells
Anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed
Sleep trouble
Appetite loss
Being emotionless (feeling hollow or empty) Feelings of emptiness or numbness
Fears bout caring for the baby
Worries about not loving the baby
Suicidal behaviours and thoughts
PPD is a mood disorder, and its symptoms differ significantly from those of postpartum psychosis, which is a psychotic disorder. A mood disorder affects an individual's spirit, while a psychotic disorder causes someone to lose touch with reality.
RISK AND SYMPTOMS
Mothers with postpartum complications were twice as likely to have postpartum psychosis compared to those without complications, and the offspring of mothers with postpartum psychosis who had been hospitalized were four times more likely to die within the first year after birth. Severe cases of postpartum psychosis increase the risk of suicide and harm to the baby.
Rarely do symptoms of postpartum psychosis appear later than a few weeks post-childbirth. But they do happen at a crucial time for bonding, resting, and recovering, which can be difficult to handle. Knowing the risks and symptoms will assist you to get on the lookout for this mental disturbance and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Women with postpartum psychosis may appear:
Excited or elated
Depressed, anxious, or confused
Excessively irritable or have a changing mood
Noticeable and dramatic shifts in mood can occur over a couple of hours and are almost like bipolar episodes (shifting between depression and mania, or elevated moods and energy).
For partners, relations, and friends who are not sure the way to support their beloved, offering a listening ear and a hand may be a good start. Seek help from a psychological state professional if your loved one's symptoms are severe.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS
There are not any set criteria for the diagnosis of postpartum psychosis. Your doctor may ask you questions on your symptoms to work out the simplest course of action.
Treatment for postpartum psychosis may include the following:
Antipsychotic medications are the first-line treatment for psychosis, including Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine), and Zyprexa (olanzapine).
Lithium is claimed to scale back the risks for somebody who’s particularly susceptible to developing postpartum psychosis.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a brief electrical stimulation of the cerebrum, can help to rapidly lessen symptoms (including those of suicidal thoughts or behaviours), but it is not commonly used.
SOURCE
https://www.verywellhealth.com/postpartum-psychosis-5192992