I feel like my world is falling apart.....

[Mandy0992]

Hi ladies I am new and I am not really sure if this is the right place for me to be. But I figured I could give it a shot. I have been diagnosed with postpartum OCD/ anxiety/ depression. But my question is how do you know the difference between the OCD and psychosis? Could I possibly have psychosis and have been misdiagnosed? I feel like I am losing myself and that scares me. I just want to be me again for my family.

[Kat_at_APP Volunteer]

Hi Mandy0992

It's so hard to be able to answer your questions, without being your doctor or care giver... but yes it's not unheard of for cases of PP to be "missed" or misdiagnosed as something else. Although having said that maternal OCD can be very serious indeed and just as much of a psychiatric emergency, if that makes sense?

Have you had any of the Psychosis symptoms, i.e. Hallucinations, delusions or thought disorder? (It may be hard for you to know, if you are currently unwell - another reason why diagnosis is so difficult!)

Whatever the diagnosis, I wish you all the best, it sounds like you are in so much pain. Please hold on to the fact that you are ill, but that postnatal mental illness is very temporary and treatable and you will find yourself again. And your family will be right there waiting for you. Be kind to yourself and try not to get too impatient - recovery from either PP or OCD or postnatal anxiety can be hard work!

Happy to answer more specific questions, sorry I've not been able to give you any answers about your diagnosis!

Kat x

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Mandy0092, welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry you're struggling in this way. I suffered from a lot of anxiety after my psychotic episode - it was awful, and really debilitating.

I just wanted to signpost you to a couple of organisations, and our own website, which you may find helpful. I just wanted to check first you had seen all the information about PP on our website - it includes 'what is PP' and 'FAQ' which may help you in your question of whether you may have PP rather than the diagnosis you have been given of OCD / maternal anxiety. The links are here: app-network.org/what-is-pp/

For me, I became ill very quickly and rapidly, which is very typical of PP. I was acutely psychotic when my son was just 3 days old, completely out of touch with reality and with a lot of hallucinations. This is how PP usually presents itself. Perhaps that helps you, to compare to your own experience.

I also wanted to let you know about another organisation, if you haven't found it yet, called Maternal OCD. Their details are:

maternalocd.org

0845 390 623

Email: [e-mail]

You will recover and get better, I do hope you can find all the support you need.

Ellie

[LOT1993]

Take your time. Sometimes there is no definitive diagnosis. It s important to be candid with others how you feel at this time, though, to get the best care.