Giving birth is a significant life change that can impact mental health and well-being. Birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum psychosis are two severe conditions someone could experience following childbirth. Below you will find information, coping strategies, and resources to support healing and recovery.
Birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder
After childbirth, some people may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Birth-related PTSD affects 3-6% of parents who give birth each year.
Those who had preterm births, stillbirths, or severe complications during the birthing process are at a higher risk. People who have experienced depression, a fear of childbirth, complications during pregnancy, or a history of trauma are also at a higher risk.
PTSD includes two key elements: (1) experiencing or witnessing an event involving actual or threatened danger to the self or others, and (2) responding with intense fear, helplessness or horror.
Symptoms of birth-related PTSD may include:
- Obsessive thoughts about the birth
- Feelings of panic when near the site where the birth occurred
- Feelings of numbness and detachment
- Disturbing memories of the birth experience
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Sadness, fearfulness, anxiety or irritability
These symptoms can make it even more difficult for parents to adjust to the significant life change of caring for a new infant or grieving the loss of a baby if they experienced a miscarriage. Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective therapeutic method for treating birth-related PTSD. Research also shows that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be an effective therapeutic tool. Working with a mental health professional to find the right treatment options for you will allow you to receive support in the way that feels most helpful.
Postpartum psychosis
In rare cases, people may experience postpartum psychosis (PPP). This condition affects 1-2 out of every 1,000 people after giving birth. Onset is quick and severe, and usually occurs within the first six weeks after childbirth.
People who have a history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, a family history of mental health conditions, or who stop taking psychiatric drugs during pregnancy are more at risk. People who experience PPP are likely to experience it again during a future pregnancy.
Symptoms of PPP are similar to general psychotic reactions such as delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (false perceptions), and often include:
Physical symptoms: Refusal to eat, inability to stop activity, frantic energy
Mental symptoms: Extreme confusion, memory loss, incoherence
Behavioral symptoms: Paranoia, irrational statements, obsessive thoughts about the baby
If you are experiencing PPP, seeking help can include in-home supports or hospitalization where medication and acute respite can help create stability. Doctors may prescribe a mood stabilizer, antipsychotic or antidepressant medications to treat postpartum psychosis. With appropriate treatment, most severe symptoms usually resolve within 2 to 12 weeks. It is also helpful to keep checking in with a mental health professional after these severe symptoms subside to ensure you continue to feel stable and balanced.
Experiencing a mental health condition after giving birth can be destabilizing and overwhelming. It can also take time to recover. Do your best to practice self-compassion through the process and reach out for support when you need it. You deserve to celebrate every small step toward healing and you do not need to go through this alone.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-TLC-MAMA – is a free and confidential space for pregnant women and new moms to get the emotional and mental health support they need. Trained counselors are available 24/7 by phone and text in English, Spanish, and translation services in over 60 languages.
Mental Health America resources
PTSD
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Understanding trauma and PTSD
- What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- What is complex PTSD?
- How can I help a loved one with PTSD?
- What are the symptoms of PTSD?
- Who can get PTSD?
- How do you treat PTSD?
- What can I do to recover from PTSD on my own?
- Trauma and PTSD information and support
Psychosis
- Psychosis
- Psychosis (Schizophrenia) in children and youth
- Life with psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Paranoia and delusional disorders
- What is psychosis?
- Can therapy help with psychosis?
- What lifestyle changes can help me manage psychosis?
- How do you treat psychosis?
- Why do I have psychosis?
- Do I have to take meds for psychosis?
- Who can I talk to about my psychosis?
- What is psychosis like?
- Psychosis and schizophrenia test
- Psychosis information and support
- I don’t have feelings anymore
- My brain is playing tricks on me
- I see ghosts or shadows
- I hear voices
- I see or hear things that aren’t there
- What is mania?
- Types of intrusive thoughts
- Will talking about someone’s delusions make them sicker?
- How do I stay grounded in reality?
- What are the side effects of antipsychotic meds?
- Antipsychotics
- What is Vraylar?
- My psychosis worsens my imposter syndrome (Blog)
- A peer organization spotlight: Listen to students with psychosis (Blog)
- Three misconceptions of using injectable antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia (Blog)
Take a mental health test
If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished, you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
