Pregnancy & Postpartum
Postpartum Psychosis
A rare but serious psychiatric emergency in the days and weeks after birth, involving a rapid change in perception, mood and thinking.
What it can feel like
- Seeing or hearing things others do not
- Strange or frightening beliefs about the baby
- Manic energy, not sleeping at all
- Severe confusion, or feeling dreamlike
- Sudden withdrawal or unusual behaviour
Not everyone has every symptom, and you do not need a label to deserve support.
Things that help
01
Treat it as an emergency
This needs urgent same-day assessment. Call emergency services or go to A&E with the person, do not wait.
02
Stay with the person
Do not leave someone with these symptoms alone with the baby until professional help is in place.
03
Know it is treatable and not their fault
Most people recover fully with prompt treatment. It is an illness, not a failure of parenting.
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Call emergency services or go to A&E immediately. This is a medical emergency that responds well to fast treatment.