Postpartum: Post traumatic stress disorder, Bipolar disorder, Psychosis

by Julie Garin

09/19/2023

Here are some simple definitions:

Postpartum PTSD: 9% of women or birthing people will experience postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and is precipitated by trauma during labour and delivery. Symptoms include flashbacks/nightmares of the trauma experienced, re-experiencing of a past traumatic event, anxiety, panic attacks and avoiding stimuli associated with the trauma.

Postpartum Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is defined by periods of “highs” or mania and “lows” or depression. In the manic phase, the affected individual has extremely high energy, fast speech, insomnia (but there is little need for sleep), racing thoughts, delusions, grandiose thoughts and in some cases hallucinations. In the depressed phase the individual can experience low mood, irritability or severe depression. Postpartum bipolar disorder is rare but has an increased chance of occurring in mothers with a pre-existing mood disorder or if there is a family history of bipolar disorder.

Postpartum Psychosis: This occurs in 1-2% of new mothers and is defined by the rapid onset of paranoid, grandiose or bizarre delusions, grossly disorganized behaviour, hallucinations, mood swings and confused thinking, which is a dramatic change from previous functioning. This change can occur within 2-3 days after childbirth. Having a pre-existing mental health illness increases the risk of developing postpartum psychosis.