Postpartum Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder

Postpartum psychosis usually develops during first 2 weeks after labour. Bipolar disorder is considered to be the underlying etiology for a postpartum psychotic episode. It is important do differentiate between obsessive-compulsive disordeder and psychosis. In both diseases there are thoughts about harming the baby, but in first case woman is aware that it is irrational and it gets better with treatment. Postpartum psychosis can be very dangerous, because the mother has delusional thoughts about the baby. This condition is a psychiatric emergency and requires immediate hospitalization.
Video by Psychopharmacology Institute