Key symptoms that differentiate postpartum psychosis from other postpartum mood disorders include the rapid onset of severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, marked confusion, and disorganized thinking, which are not typical features of postpartum depression or anxiety disorders. Postpartum psychosis often presents within the first two weeks after childbirth and is characterised by a sudden and severe disturbance in mood and perception, including manic or mixed affective states, which can include agitation and sleep disturbances beyond typical postpartum fatigue.
In contrast, postpartum depression generally develops more gradually and is characterised by persistent low mood, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities without psychotic features. Anxiety disorders in the postpartum period primarily involve excessive worry, panic, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms without the presence of psychosis.
Sleep loss is a significant factor in postpartum psychosis and may exacerbate or precipitate the condition, whereas in postpartum depression, sleep disturbance is more commonly a symptom rather than a trigger.
Therefore, the presence of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions, rapid onset, and severe mood disturbance with possible manic features are the key clinical features that distinguish postpartum psychosis from other postpartum mood disorders NICE CG192 Susman 1996Sharma & Mazmanian 2003Doucet et al. 2009.
Key References
- CG192 - Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance
- (Susman, 1996): Postpartum depressive disorders.
- (Sharma and Mazmanian, 2003): Sleep loss and postpartum psychosis.
- (Doucet et al., 2009): Differentiation and clinical implications of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.