Donate
Find Help Now

Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

What is postpartum psychosis? 

Postpartum psychosis is a serious but rare mental health problem which develops after you give birth. It is sometimes called puerperal psychosis. 

Postpartum psychosis can be an overwhelming and frightening experience, and it is important to seek help as soon as possible if you experience symptoms. But with the right support, most people fully recover. 

This page covers: 

  • Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis 
  • Causes of postpartum psychosis 
  • Treatments for postpartum psychosis 
  • Self-care for postpartum psychosis 
  • Planning another pregnancy 

Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis 

The symptoms of postpartum psychosis usually start quite suddenly, within a few weeks after you give birth. ‘Postpartum’ means after childbirth. 

If you have postpartum psychosis, you are likely to experience a mix of psychosis, depression and mania. This means you may experience these common symptoms: 

How you might feel 

You may feel: 

  • excited or elated 
  • severely depressed 
  • rapid mood changes 
  • confused or disoriented. 

How you might behave 

You may be: 

  • restless 
  • unable to sleep, even when you have the chance 
  • unable to concentrate 
  • experiencing psychotic symptoms, like delusions or hallucinations. 

What are delusions and hallucinations? 

Delusions and hallucinations are aspects of psychosis which you may experience. 

Delusions are strong beliefs that other people don’t share. For example, you might think that: 

  • you are being followed 
  • your thoughts are being read 
  • you are very powerful and able to influence things outside of your control 
  • you have special insight or divine experiences. 

Some delusions can be very frightening, such as believing that someone is trying to control you or kill you. These sorts of delusions are often called paranoid thinking or paranoia. See our information on delusions and paranoia to find out more. 

Hallucinations are when you experience things that others around you don’t. For example hearing voices, seeing visual hallucinations and other unexplained sensations. See our information on hallucinations and hearing voices to find out more. 

Causes of postpartum psychosis 

There is no clear evidence on what causes postpartum psychosis. But there are some factors which mean you may be more likely to develop it. For example, if you have: 

  • a family history of mental health problems, particularly a family history of postpartum psychosis 
  • a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia 
  • a traumatic birth or pregnancy 
  • experienced postpartum psychosis before. 

But you can develop postpartum psychosis even if you have no history of mental health problems. 

If you are at a higher risk of developing postpartum psychosis, it’s important to discuss your mental health with your doctor or midwife. They can help you think about how you can plan ahead. 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), based in the UK, has a series of guides about postpartum psychosis. This includes a guide to planning pregnancy if you are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis. 

Treatments for postpartum psychosis 

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency. If you experience symptoms listed above, it is important to present to your family doctor for timely assessment and referral for treatment. There are various treatments that you may be offered for postpartum psychosis. Your doctor should discuss these options with you, so you can make a decision together about the best treatment for you: 

Medication 

Your doctor is most likely to offer you an antipsychotic drug to manage your mood and psychotic symptoms. They may also offer you an antidepressant. 

See our pages on medication for more information. 

ECT 

If your symptoms are very severe and other treatments don’t work, your doctor may offer you electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 

Will I have to go to the hospital? 

Your doctor may decide that treating you in hospital is the best way to get the help you need. If it’s possible, you should be admitted to a mother and baby unit (MBU), where you can stay with your baby while getting treatment. 

See our page on support and services for more information. 

Self-care for postpartum psychosis 

If you are experiencing postpartum psychosis, the most important thing to do is get help. Speak to a health professional if you feel able, such as your doctor or a psychiatrist. 

If you don’t feel able to speak to a health professional, you could talk to someone who you trust about how you’re feeling, and ask for their support in getting help. 

Once you’re receiving professional help, there are things you can also do to look after yourself while you recover: 

Join a peer support group 

You might feel really alone or as if nobody understands, but talking to other people can help. Peer support is a way to share your feelings and experiences with other people who’ve had similar experiences. 

Recognise your triggers 

Try keeping a diary of your moods and what’s going on in your life. This might help you recognise patterns or notice what affects your mental health. It can also help you become aware of the sort of experiences or feelings that might make you feel worse. 

This gives you the chance in future to notice what’s going on before you become more unwell, and ask for help. 

Contact specialist organisations 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (based in the UK) has a guide to recovering from postpartum psychosis. This includes lots of tips and ideas about how to cope in the days and months after being diagnosed. 

For more ideas, see our page on ways to look after your mental health when becoming a parent. 

Planning another pregnancy 

If you have experienced postpartum psychosis before, you may worry about becoming pregnant again. 

Experiencing postpartum psychosis does mean you are more likely to develop it again with future pregnancies. But with the right support, you can plan ahead in case it does happen again. 

So if you want to have another baby, or if you find out that you’re pregnant, you should talk to your doctor and make a plan as soon as possible. 

Your doctor can also refer you to a perinatal psychiatrist. This is a specialist doctor who can support you if you are pregnant or recently gave birth, and have experience of mental health problems. 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) has a series of guides about postpartum psychosis. This includes a guide to planning pregnancy if you are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis.

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin
What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

What is postpartum psychosis?

What is postpartum psychosis? 

Postpartum psychosis is a serious but rare mental health problem which develops after you give birth. It is sometimes called puerperal psychosis. 

Postpartum psychosis can be an overwhelming and frightening experience, and it is important to seek help as soon as possible if you experience symptoms. But with the right support, most people fully recover. 

This page covers: 

  • Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis 
  • Causes of postpartum psychosis 
  • Treatments for postpartum psychosis 
  • Self-care for postpartum psychosis 
  • Planning another pregnancy 

Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis 

The symptoms of postpartum psychosis usually start quite suddenly, within a few weeks after you give birth. 'Postpartum' means after childbirth. 

If you have postpartum psychosis, you are likely to experience a mix of psychosis, depression and mania. This means you may experience these common symptoms: 

How you might feel 

You may feel: 

  • excited or elated 
  • severely depressed 
  • rapid mood changes 
  • confused or disoriented. 

How you might behave 

You may be: 

  • restless 
  • unable to sleep, even when you have the chance 
  • unable to concentrate 
  • experiencing psychotic symptoms, like delusions or hallucinations. 

What are delusions and hallucinations? 

Delusions and hallucinations are aspects of psychosis which you may experience. 

Delusions are strong beliefs that other people don't share. For example, you might think that: 

  • you are being followed 
  • your thoughts are being read 
  • you are very powerful and able to influence things outside of your control 
  • you have special insight or divine experiences. 

Some delusions can be very frightening, such as believing that someone is trying to control you or kill you. These sorts of delusions are often called paranoid thinking or paranoia. See our information on delusions and paranoia to find out more. 

Hallucinations are when you experience things that others around you don't. For example hearing voices, seeing visual hallucinations and other unexplained sensations. See our information on hallucinations and hearing voices to find out more. 

Causes of postpartum psychosis 

There is no clear evidence on what causes postpartum psychosis. But there are some factors which mean you may be more likely to develop it. For example, if you have: 

  • a family history of mental health problems, particularly a family history of postpartum psychosis 
  • a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia 
  • a traumatic birth or pregnancy 
  • experienced postpartum psychosis before. 

But you can develop postpartum psychosis even if you have no history of mental health problems. 

If you are at a higher risk of developing postpartum psychosis, it's important to discuss your mental health with your doctor or midwife. They can help you think about how you can plan ahead. 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), based in the UK, has a series of guides about postpartum psychosis. This includes a guide to planning pregnancy if you are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis. 

Treatments for postpartum psychosis 

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency. If you experience symptoms listed above, it is important to present to your family doctor for timely assessment and referral for treatment. There are various treatments that you may be offered for postpartum psychosis. Your doctor should discuss these options with you, so you can make a decision together about the best treatment for you: 

Medication 

Your doctor is most likely to offer you an antipsychotic drug to manage your mood and psychotic symptoms. They may also offer you an antidepressant. 

See our pages on medication for more information. 

ECT 

If your symptoms are very severe and other treatments don't work, your doctor may offer you electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 

Will I have to go to the hospital? 

Your doctor may decide that treating you in hospital is the best way to get the help you need. If it's possible, you should be admitted to a mother and baby unit (MBU), where you can stay with your baby while getting treatment. 

See our page on support and services for more information. 

Self-care for postpartum psychosis 

If you are experiencing postpartum psychosis, the most important thing to do is get help. Speak to a health professional if you feel able, such as your doctor or a psychiatrist. 

If you don't feel able to speak to a health professional, you could talk to someone who you trust about how you're feeling, and ask for their support in getting help. 

Once you're receiving professional help, there are things you can also do to look after yourself while you recover: 

Join a peer support group 

You might feel really alone or as if nobody understands, but talking to other people can help. Peer support is a way to share your feelings and experiences with other people who've had similar experiences. 

Recognise your triggers 

Try keeping a diary of your moods and what's going on in your life. This might help you recognise patterns or notice what affects your mental health. It can also help you become aware of the sort of experiences or feelings that might make you feel worse. 

This gives you the chance in future to notice what's going on before you become more unwell, and ask for help. 

Contact specialist organisations 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (based in the UK) has a guide to recovering from postpartum psychosis. This includes lots of tips and ideas about how to cope in the days and months after being diagnosed. 

For more ideas, see our page on ways to look after your mental health when becoming a parent. 

Planning another pregnancy 

If you have experienced postpartum psychosis before, you may worry about becoming pregnant again. 

Experiencing postpartum psychosis does mean you are more likely to develop it again with future pregnancies. But with the right support, you can plan ahead in case it does happen again. 

So if you want to have another baby, or if you find out that you're pregnant, you should talk to your doctor and make a plan as soon as possible. 

Your doctor can also refer you to a perinatal psychiatrist. This is a specialist doctor who can support you if you are pregnant or recently gave birth, and have experience of mental health problems. 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) has a series of guides about postpartum psychosis. This includes a guide to planning pregnancy if you are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis.