Postpartum psychosis: A complex mix of serious symptoms

Several risk factors cited
Amanda Brown struggled with infertility and suffered two miscarriages before she experienced a “text-book pregnancy.” However, a traumatic labor and delivery and a hemorrhage that left her unconscious and with no memory of the birth set the stage for a breakdown.
While she began to recover physically, Brown’s mental state began to deteriorate; she experienced intrusive thoughts and suffered a break from reality. She had not been sleeping and eventually started hallucinating, convinced she should kill her baby and herself.
Brown’s mother, who was providing in-home support, became alarmed at her daughter’s behavior and brought her to the emergency room. Diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, she was immediately admitt...