| Abstract [eng] |
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health condition that poses risks to the mother, baby, and other family members. To prevent tragic outcomes such as maternal suicide or infanticide, early recognition and prompt treatment are essential. Due to the different manifestations, recognizing postpartum psychosis can be difficult, therefore, it is necessary to understand the symptoms of this condition and the characteristics of its manifestation. With timely diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment, postpartum psychosis has a good prognosis, so it is important to find out which treatment methods are most effective and how to apply them to obtain the best results. Objective of the Study: to conduct a comprehensive literature review to assess the prevalence, psychopathology, and treatment of postpartum psychosis. Methods: a comprehensive literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 76 literature sources written in Lithuanian or English and published between 1998 and 2025 were selected. One clinical case was also analyzed. Results: Postpartum psychosis occurs in 1–2 out of 1,000 births and is a very dangerous mental condition. Women with bipolar disorder or a previous diagnosis of postpartum psychosis are at greatest risk. Postpartum psychosis can manifest as manic or mixed episodes, depression with psychotic symptoms, or episodes of non-affective psychosis. Cognitive impairment and suicidal or infanticidal thoughts may also occur. Hospitalization is usually required, with the best outcomes in mother-baby units. Treatment depends on the predominant symptoms and the individual needs of the woman. The medications with the most evidence are lithium and antipsychotics. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy is useful. Conclusions: Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental condition that remains under-researched. Despite posing a threat to both mother and baby, there are still no universally accepted diagnostic criteria, and many healthcare professionals lack sufficient knowledge about this condition, which poses a risk of delayed recognition. Postpartum psychosis often requires hospitalization, which separates the mother from her baby, which can negatively affect their health and emotional bond. While some countries have specialized mother-baby units, such facilities are still absent in many parts of the world, including Lithuania. However, despite the severity of the disease, timely treatment usually leads to good recovery outcomes. |
