What I Want You to Know About Postpartum Psychosis

If you've been following the news lately, you've probably heard about the Lindsay Clancy trial. It ended in a mistrial this month, after the jury couldn't agree on a verdict. The case has put a spotlight on something I think about every single day in my work: postpartum psychosis.

As a perinatal mental health counselor, I've sat with a lot of new moms in a lot of hard moments. And when a case like this makes headlines, it becomes even more clear how much misinformation is out there, which is why I thought this post was needed to keep educating and breaking down the stigma.

So let's talk about it, gently and honestly. 

I want to say up front: I'm not weighing in on this specific case, what happened in that courtroom, or what was in anyone's mind that day. That's not mine to judge, and frankly, no blog post could do it justice. What I can do is help you understand the illness itself, because there's so much fear and misinformation swirling around it right now, and fear helps no one, least of all the moms who are suffering in silence.

What Postpartum Psychosis Actually Is

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric emergency. It affects roughly 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 births.  It's not just "really bad baby blues." It's not "postpartum depression, but worse." It is its own distinct condition, and it involves a break from reality. That can look like:

• Delusions (fixed, false beliefs, like believing the baby is in danger, possessed, or not really hers)

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)

• Severe confusion or disorientation

• Rapid mood swings, from euphoria to despair

• Paranoia

• Not sleeping for days, even when exhausted

• Behavior that feels completely out of character

This is a medical emergency, like a stroke or a severe allergic reaction. It requires immediate psychiatric treatment, usually hospitalization, because a person experiencing psychosis is, by definition, not able to reliably tell what's real from what isn't.

What It Is Not

Here's where I want to slow down, because this is the part that gets muddled in headlines, comment sections, and maybe even with your friends and family. 

It's not the baby blues. The baby blues are incredibly common (up to 80% of new moms experience them); they're mild, and they resolve on their own within a couple of weeks.

It's not the same as postpartum depression. PPD involves sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion, and difficulty bonding, but it does not involve a loss of touch with reality. Someone with PPD knows a scary thought is scary. Someone with psychosis may not.

It's not the same as postpartum OCD, which involves unwanted, intrusive, distressing thoughts about harm coming to the baby. These thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning the person is horrified by them and actively avoids anything related to them. This is one of the most misunderstood distinctions in perinatal mental health, and it matters: a mom with postpartum OCD is not a danger to her baby. She is suffering, and she needs support, not shame.

And it is not a character flaw, a parenting failure, or something a person can "snap out of." It is a biological and treatable medical condition.

Why This Matters So Much to Me

Every time a case like this becomes national news, I worry about two things. First, that moms who are quietly struggling will be too afraid or ashamed to say anything, because they're terrified of being seen as dangerous, or fear that they will lose custody of their baby if they say they are struggling.

Second, that nuance gets lost, and whatever the mental health diagnosis being spoken of becomes a scary label thrown around loosely, when what it actually needs is compassion, awareness, and access to care. 

If there is one thing I hope you take from this: postpartum psychosis is treatable, and with fast intervention, the outlook for full recovery is genuinely good. This is not a life sentence. It is an emergency that, when caught, can be met with real, effective help.

CBS Sunday Morning ran a piece on this on September 6th — a woman sharing her own experience with postpartum psychosis, how she got help, went through treatment, and went on to have another baby. It's a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, and I'd encourage you to watch it. 

If You're Worried About Yourself or Someone You Love

Trust your gut. If something feels seriously "off", if a new mom seems disconnected from reality, is saying things that don't make sense, isn't sleeping at all, or is expressing beliefs that feel delusional, please don't wait it out. Call her OB, call a psychiatric provider, or go to the nearest emergency room. This is not the time for a wait-and-see approach. And if you're a mom reading this and something in your own mind feels off, frightening, or not like you, please reach out to your provider, to a trusted person, to me. You are not the first person to feel this way, and you will not be judged for asking for help. You deserve support. Your family deserves support. And no one should have to navigate this alone.

………

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. 

Postpartum Support International also has a free helpline: 1-800-944-4773.

………

https://www.cbsnews.com/sunday-morning/full-episodes/  (16mins in) 

Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC PMH-C

Providing Care and Support in a Time That Can Hold Such Polarizing Emotions

Antepartum, pregnancy, and postpartum are seasons often painted with society’s rose-colored glasses. We see images of glowing mothers and perfectly swaddled babies, but for many women, this season is far more complex.

As a mom of nearly two under two and a survivor of both traumatic pregnancy and birth, I know firsthand how challenging this journey can be. I am passionate about opening conversations around the real, often unspoken experiences of pregnancy and postpartum.

The Realities Many Women Face

Many women face infertility struggles, unwanted pregnancies, prenatal depression, medical trauma, or life circumstances that overshadow what is often expected to be a joyful season. The reality is, your experience is uniquely yours, and it doesn’t have to feel positive all the time.

You might feel:

• Excitement and fear at the same time

• Joy mixed with guilt

• Peace followed by waves of sadness or frustration

• Loneliness, even when surrounded by others

Some women have prayed, manifested, or deeply hoped for this season, while others find themselves mourning the life they had or the identity they have known. All of these feelings are valid.

Why Talking About It Matters

There is so much pressure on mothers to be grateful and happy, which can silence the real struggles happening underneath. Open, judgment-free conversation is essential during this season.

As a mental health provider, I am committed to creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you are ready to process your birth story, explore your fears, grieve your old identity, or simply say out loud, “This is really hard,” you deserve a space to be seen and heard.

Support Is Available

While medication can be a valuable tool for some, many women benefit from non-pharmacological support, education, and consistent resources throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Therapy, somatic practices, mindfulness, and community connection can help you feel supported while honoring the complexity of this season.

Holland Stidham Counseling Intern

Breaking the Silence: Navigating Maternal Mental Health Wellbeing

Maternal Mental Health is a topic not talked about enough and often misunderstood, yet it's a reality that countless women face every day. I have the honor of helping women by understanding, supporting, and empowering them as they navigate the complexities of motherhood. 

I wanted to take this opportunity during Maternal Mental Health Month to discuss this topic further, educate people, and break the stigma. 

First, let me define Maternal Mental Health(MMH): the emotional well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses a range of mental health symptoms that affect mothers. The range under that MMH umbrella are postpartum depression, anxiety, psychosis, OCD, and PTSD. And Baby Blues, which is commonly used for what a mother is experiencing but tends to minimize it.  

 Here are some common signs to watch for and an excellent time to seek help: 

• Persistent Sadness

• Excessive Worry 

• Difficulty Bonding with the Baby 

• Changes in Sleep or Appetite

• Fatigue or Exhaustion

•  Irritability or Anger

• Intrusive Thoughts or Fears

• Social Withdrawal

• Loss of Interest or Pleasure

Maternal mental health is essential for mothers' and babies' well-being. Untreated issues can affect maternal bonding, infant development, and family dynamics, but seeking help from a healthcare provider specializing in perinatal mental health to get support can help. 

As a therapist, my foremost goal when working with my clients who are mothers is to create a safe and supportive space where they feel understood and validated. I want them to know that they are not alone. Throughout our therapy journey, I help them navigate their thoughts and emotions, teaching techniques to manage intrusive thoughts and regulate their emotions. Grounding exercises and other behavioral strategies become tools they can use daily to cope with challenges. I aim to destigmatize the use of medication for mental health issues, especially during the perinatal and postpartum periods. Drawing from my own experience as a mother who used medication during pregnancy and beyond, I emphasize the importance of informed decision-making. I am very grateful to my healthcare providers, who approach these decisions with empathy and understanding. Thank You! 

I hope we can continue to advocate for breaking the stigma surrounding maternal mental health, encouraging open conversations and acceptance of mental health challenges as a normal part of the motherhood journey with less guilt and shame!

Resources:

• Call or text Postpartum Support International Helpline at 800-944-4773

• Download the Connect App by PSI

• Call or Text 988

• Call or text the Maternal Mental Health Alliance Hotline 833-852-6262

Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC

Why Counseling?

Over the years as a mental health counselor, I have often heard from individuals “I am not in a crisis so I don't need counseling” or “I don’t want to take a spot from someone who really needs it”. Unfortunately, these statements just reinforce the stigma that counseling is only for people dealing with “real issues”. Which minimizes the truth, that we all can benefit from mental health counseling no matter what we are going through. In this blog, I want to highlight some important benefits of what the therapeutic process can provide for someone considering counseling, but who is still unsure if they “really need it”.

•  Feeling Heard - A mental health counselor holds space and listens without judgment.  There is no hierarchy of pain so no matter what is going on for someone, the counselor is the person who is just present and listens. Think, Brene Brown, they climb down and get in the hole with a person.

• Assist Positive Change -   A mental health counselor is educated and trained in various evidence-based modalities to promote balance in all life task areas. They do not avoid uncomfortable emotions or conversations, they lean into the discomfort and encourage the client to do the same. Because that is where change can happen. 

• Promote Balance -  Together in the therapeutic process, a client works to increase their insight into what they need for balance. This can be by improving communication skills, boundary setting, coping skills and more to improve their overall well-being. 

• Provide Connection -  They help navigate connections to outside resources within their community for additional support that may be needed. 

Overall, mental health counseling is a vulnerable but rewarding process that is beneficial for everyone, no matter what.  I would encourage all to take the step of making that first appointment because we all deserve to process emotions, seek change, and find balance in our lives. 

Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC

 Brené Brown