EP17| When Postnatal Depression Becomes Something More: Postpartum Psychosis Warning Signs.

When does postnatal depression become something more serious? Would you recognise the warning signs of postpartum psychosis? In Episode 17 of Our Mother’s Health Podcast, Dr Viviane Chinwah continues the conversation about maternal mental health by exploring postpartum psychosis — a serious mental-health condition that can develop rapidly following childbirth. #PostpartumPsychosis #PostnatalDepression #MaternalMentalHealth #PostpartumMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #NewMum #Motherhood #PerinatalMentalHealth #OurMothersHealth #EveryMotherMatters We’ve previously discussed postnatal depression on the podcast. This episode goes further. What happens when a new mother’s behaviour suddenly changes? What if she cannot sleep even when given the opportunity? What if she becomes extremely confused, unusually energetic or suspicious? What if she begins hearing or seeing things that others cannot—or develops beliefs that are not based in reality? 🚨 Would her family recognise that she may need urgent help? In this episode, we discuss: 🧠 Postnatal depression vs postpartum psychosis ⚠️ Warning signs families should recognise 😴 Why severe sleeplessness shouldn’t always be dismissed as normal newborn exhaustion 🗣️ Hallucinations, delusions, confusion and dramatic behavioural changes 👨‍👩‍👧 Why partners and families can be critical in recognising deterioration 🏥 When symptoms require urgent psychiatric assessment ❤️ Treatment, support and the possibility of recovery The central message is simple: Don’t only watch the baby. Watch the mother too. Postpartum psychosis should not be surrounded by shame or used to stigmatise mothers experiencing mental illness. It requires recognition, compassion and appropriate professional care. This episode also introduces the next part of our maternal mental-health series. 🎙️ COMING NEXT — EPISODE 18 We examine the highly complex Lindsay Clancy case and the questions it has raised about severe postpartum mental illness, healthcare, family responsibility and the criminal justice system. Not to sensationalise tragedy. Not to diagnose someone from a distance. But to ask: Could the warning signs have been recognised before a family reached crisis? ⸻ 🎙️ Our Mother’s Health Podcast Host: Dr Viviane Chinwah Real Stories. Real Issues. Real Impact. ❤️ Every Mother Matters. 👍 Like 💬 Comment ↗️ Share 🔔 Subscribe Important: If you are concerned that someone may be experiencing postpartum psychosis, seek urgent professional medical help. In the UK, suspected postpartum psychosis requires urgent assessment; if there is immediate danger to the mother, baby or anyone else, call 999 or attend A&E.