The fantastic MGH Center for Women's Mental Health has posted a piece on its blog that I imagine is partly in response to the infanticide in San Antonio and the resulting discussion all across the country about what was wrong with Otty Sanchez.The articleis entitled "Can We Identify Women At High Risk for Postpartum Psychosis?" According to author Ruta Nonacs, it would seem the answer to that question is …sort of. While women with bipolar disorder or those who have had previous psychotic episodes are clearly on the high risk list, it may be that there are other risks factors that we just don't understand yet. Nonacs suggests that this is why it is so important that all women, not just those with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, be educated on the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, as should their healthcare providers, and I might add their partners/husbands.
For more stories from Postpartum Progress on postpartum psychosis, click the link. Also, this is a full list of the symptoms of postpartum psychosis.
I would add to this the parents and siblings too. Although I've taken support calls from women with postpartum psychosis and their partners, I get just as many from parents and siblings.
…"we have yet to identify risk factors" is very true, but the emerging field of integrative mental health for PMADs holds a great deal of promise.
Early research shows that high amounts of excess copper, along with low levels of zinc, manganese, molybdenum, vitamin C and vitamin B6 are linked to more severe postpartum mood reactions. (http://wellpostpartum.com/?s=copper)
And, there is pioneering research forthcoming showing a nutritional link to perinatal bipolar disorder at .
So great to see that people are finally recognizing the need for everyone to be educated about something like postpartum psychosis (PPP) and not only those with a history of bipolar or schizophrenia.
As someone who's postpartum depression (PPD) quickly spiraled into an extremely severe case of PPP, I would say that the only thing that could have prevented my needless suffering was greater understanding of the symptoms of PPP by my family physican, spouse and family.
This is why I have become such an huge advocate for pospartum mood disorders (PPMDs) and why I never fail to spend time covering PPP in the information sessions I deliver.
Additionally, if I haven't said it before (and I know I have, here and everywhere else I comment), we need to stop deluding ourselves into believing that PPP is rare.
If you question any psychiatrist in the world they will admit that PPP (which occurs after 1-3/1000 births) is only rare when compared to the risk of developing PPD in the postpartum period. When not compared to PPD, a condition that afflicts 1-3/1000 is by no means a rare occurance. This fact should particularly be kept in mind considering the horrifying nature of what women afflicted with this condition are capable of doing.
In my opinion, if and only if we come to realize this will healthcare providers and the general public realize how necessary it is for them to be aware of the symptoms of this dangerous condition.
Then and only then will lives like Scott Wesley Buchholz-Sanchez not be lost to a condition that is so easily treatable when recognized and treated for what it is.
Hi, I think your article its very important and interesting,good work, thanks for sharing!! Have a nice day!
please help i have pppd and am losing it im a militry wife on the edge