What are the risk factors for postpartum psychosis?

The most significant risk factors for postpartum psychosis are a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, or a previous psychotic episode. Of the women who develop a postpartum psychosis, research has suggested that there is approximately a 5\% suicide rate and a 4\% infanticide rate associated with the illness.

Which woman is at greatest risk for postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis (PP) is the most severe psychiatric disorder associated with childbirth. The risk of PP is very high in women with a history of bipolar affective disorder or schizoaffective disorder.

Who gets postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby. It affects around 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth. Many people who have given birth will experience mild mood changes after having a baby, known as the “baby blues”.

Is postpartum psychosis hereditary?

Postpartum psychosis is more common in first-time mothers. It is postulated that the onset of postpartum psychosis is related to physiological changes after birth (e.g., hormonal, immunological, circadian rhythm), which triggers illness in genetically vulnerable women.

Is postpartum psychosis genetic?

Your family history and genetic factors are important6, and you are more likely to have postpartum psychosis if a close relative has had it. No genetic differences in people who have postpartum psychosis have been discovered yet. Hormone levels and disturbed sleep patterns may also be involved.

Is postpartum psychosis an emergency?

Many people who have given birth will experience mild mood changes after having a baby, known as the “baby blues”. This is normal and usually only lasts for a few days. But postpartum psychosis is very different from the “baby blues”. It’s a serious mental illness and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Is postpartum psychosis bipolar?

The most robust risk factors for postpartum psychosis are a history of bipolar disorder and/or a history of postpartum psychosis after a previous pregnancy. Postpartum prophylaxis is indicated in these high-risk populations.

What causes psychosis in pregnancy?

The incidence of postpartum psychosis is 1–2 per 1,000 births. Risk factors for postpartum psychosis include primiparity,40–42 advanced maternal age,40 and occurrence of a mood disorder during the incident pregnancy itself. The greatest risk factors are a history of bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis.