Symptoms

Symptoms in sufferers will vary from person to person but are generally characterised by:

  • over-active and over-enthusiastic behaviour
  • racing thoughts
  • grandiose ideas
  • excessive behaviour (ie. spending, writing, cleaning)
  • elevated or irritable moods
  • delusions (false beliefs)
  • hallucinations (abnormal perceptions)
  • nightmares
  • insomnia
  • decreased need for sleep
  • difficulty with concentration and co-ordination
  • obsessive religious beliefs
  • increased rapidity eventually becoming disjointed, with completely irrational speech and thoughts

Other sufferers experience severe depressive symptoms:

  • panic attacks
  • inadequacy
  • obsessive thoughts
  • paranoia

The sufferer may have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming the baby as well as being very hostile towards the father of the baby, close family members and friends. She may not be aware that she is behaving abnormally and she will have little control over her behaviour. For many mothers suffering this condition there has been no previous history of mental illness. It is imperative that psychiatric help is sought since medication is always required for this condition. It does not pass of its own accord. If detected early enough a mother may be treated at home with intensive professional input and support. Adequate supervision must be available as the woman should not be left alone with the baby when very unwell. Hospitalisation is often necessary. Ideally the mother and baby should not be separated to ensure that bonding is established in the early weeks.

The onset of the illness usually occurs in the first three months after childbirth with the vast majority occurring in the first two weeks. The first one to notice that something is wrong is usually a close family member.