1 out of 1000 mothers are at risk for postpartum psychosis.

The risk factors for postpartum psychosis are a personal or family history of bipolar disorder or a previous psychotic episode. Rapid mood changes from feeling high/manic or agitated to low and depressed mood can occur. No need for sleep, strange beliefs, hallucinations, confusion and difficulty communicating are among the symptoms.

Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms

• Hearing, seeing, feeling or smelling things that are not there
• High mood with loss of touch with reality (mania)
• Confusion
• Excessively irritable or agitated 
• Extreme mood swings
• Trouble sleeping or not feeling the need to sleep
• Feeling paranoid or suspicious of other’s motives
• Odd thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be true: you might believe you won the lottery.  You may think your baby is possessed by the devil or people are out to get you.

Postpartum psychosis is an emergency and requires immediate help. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room.