Mother shares postpartum psychosis experience as trial highlights condition

A mother of four discussed her experience with postpartum psychosis on a national morning program, saying the condition began with intrusive thoughts that progressed into audible voices after the birth of her first child in 2020. She was initially diagnosed with postpartum depression and prescribed Zoloft, but the symptoms intensified, leading her to seek emergency care and later admit herself to a psychiatric facility where she received a postpartum psychosis diagnosis.

Postpartum psychosis affects roughly one to two per 1,000 postpartum women and is characterized by a break from reality, including delusions that often focus on the infant, according to perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider. The disorder can occur in any new mother but is more common among those with prior mental-health issues, and severe cases may involve self-harm or harm to the child.

Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Catherine Birndorf warned that the illness may be underdiagnosed and described it as a serious condition that can have tragic outcomes if untreated. She noted that the ongoing trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children while allegedly suffering from postpartum psychosis, could raise public awareness.

The mother said that proper treatment after her diagnosis enabled her recovery, and she has since had three additional children without further episodes. She encouraged other parents to seek help, emphasizing that reaching out benefits both the parent and the baby.

"What I believe were intrusive thoughts ended up turning into voices," she told the program.

"I've never in my life gone through a period where I thought it would be better not to be alive, and all of a sudden, it became the only option," she said.

"I was so taken aback and thought that I was such a monster," she recalled.

"You're not alone. In seeking help, you're actually doing a really good job both for yourself and for your baby," she added.