This is general information based on published guidance and isn’t a substitute for advice from your midwife or GP. If you’re worried about yourself or your baby, contact your midwife, GP, or maternity unit – don’t wait.
Postpartum psychosis affects around 1 to 2 in 1000 new mothers. It comes on fast – often within the first two weeks after birth (including a miscarriage or still birth) – and it is a medical emergency. Yet most people have never heard of it, can’t recognise the signs, and don’t know what to do when it happens.
Misinformation about postpartum psychosis doesn’t just cause confusion. It causes delays, and in a condition where speed of treatment is everything, delays cost lives.
Here are 11 myths – and the facts that could make all the difference.
Myth 01: “It won’t happen to me.”
Fact: It can happen to anyone – even with no prior mental health history. Postpartum psychosis affects around 1 to 2 in every 1,000 new mothers, often completely out of the blue. There is no typical profile. No warning sign that it’s coming before birth and no way to predict it from the outside.
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Myth 02: It’s hard to treat.
Fact: With the right care, postpartum psychosis is one of the more treatable perinatal mental illnesses. Most women – around 98% – go on to fully recover. The critical factor is getting that care quickly, which is why recognition and taking action matters so much.
Myth 03: Healthcare professionals want to separate mothers from their babies.
Fact: The opposite is true. Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) exist specifically so that mothers can stay with their babies while receiving treatment. Keeping that bond intact is central to care, not an afterthought.
Myth 04: It means you’re a terrible mother.
Fact: It says nothing about you as a mother. Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness, not a character flaw – and it is not your fault. A woman experiencing postpartum psychosis loves her baby. She is ill. Those two things are not in conflict.
Myth 05: It only happens to people with pre-existing mental illness.
Fact: Many cases occur in women with no prior psychiatric history. A family history of bipolar disorder does raise the risk, but it is not a requirement. Postpartum psychosis does not discriminate, and assuming it only affects people with existing conditions means too many cases go unrecognised.
Myth 06: It means you will never live a normal life again.
Fact: Most women go on to lead full, happy lives. Relapse is possible, and for some women future pregnancies carry a higher risk, but with the right monitoring and support, many go on to have more children. Recovery is the norm, not the exception.
Myth 07: Postpartum psychosis is a bad form of postpartum depression.
Fact: It is its own diagnosis, distinct from postnatal depression. Postpartum psychosis can include hallucinations, hearing or seeing things that aren’t there, delusions, severe confusion, rapid and extreme mood swings, hyperactivity, and an inability to sleep.
It is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate medical treatment, in most cases, hospitalisation. Postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis can occur together, but one is not a more severe version of the other.
Myth 08: “I’ll know if I have it.”
Fact: People experiencing psychosis often don’t realise something is wrong. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of the condition – the person experiencing it may have no insight into their own state. Partners, family members and friends are crucial in noticing the changes and getting help fast. If someone is not acting like themselves – trust that instinct.
Myth 09: A person experiencing psychosis can’t function day-to-day.
Fact: Many women can appear completely normal on the outside – including talking, carrying out tasks, caring for their baby – while experiencing delusions or hallucinations internally. Symptoms can fluctuate rapidly, which is exactly why postpartum psychosis is so often missed. Looking “fine” does not mean everything is fine.
Myth 10: “I could never hurt my child.”
Fact: Psychosis can cause command hallucinations, which are a type of intrusive thoughts or voice that pushes someone toward harming their baby or themselves. It can override a person’s sense of what is real. This is not a reflection of who that person is or how much they love their child. It is a symptom of a medical emergency, and it is why postpartum psychosis must be treated urgently.
Myth 11: It’s OK to wait and see what happens.
Fact: It is not OK to wait. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency. Do not leave the person alone. Seek urgent help immediately – contact your GP, midwife, or go straight to A&E.
Know the signs. Trust your instincts. Act fast.
Postpartum psychosis affects approximately 130,000 to 260,000 women per year worldwide. In the UK, that is around 1,400 women every year. Most of them will recover fully, if they get help in time.
The warning signs to watch for include:
- Hallucinations – seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Delusions – strongly held beliefs that aren’t based in reality
- Severe confusion or disorientation
- Rapid, extreme mood swings
- Hyperactivity or agitation
- Inability to sleep, even when exhausted
- Behaviour that seems out of character
If something feels wrong, don’t wait. Contact your GP, midwife, or go straight to A&E.
If you, or a loved one, are currently struggling, contact Action on Postpartum Psychosis. The Samaritans are also available 24 hours on 116 123 (free). PANDAS Foundation offers specialist perinatal mental health support at pandasfoundation.org.uk or 07903 508334 on WhatsApp.
Birthbabe covers maternal mental health because it matters and because not enough people are talking about it. If this piece helped you or someone you know, please share it.
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