Hello, my best friend became ill (postpartum psychosis). I wish I could help her. She's already in hospital, but doctors not doing much. It's seems she's very stressful about it, sometimes she can't even recognise her husband, but sometimes she's talking very well, like she was before. How could I help her? By natural remedies or any good medicines? We're supporting her as much as we can.
postpartum psychosis: Hello, my best... - Action on Postpar...
postpartum psychosis
Hello Ina92
What a great best friend you are reaching out to help. So pleased you have found the forum where you will find lots of support. Is your friend in an MBU in the UK? I had PP some years ago and it is a very frightening illness but with good medical care it is very treatable. How long has your friend been in hospital? Perhaps the doctors are trying different medications to see if they are helpful.
Have you seen the PP Insider Guides? "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" and "Postpartum Psychosis : A Guide for Partners" at app-network.org/what-is-pp/.... This might be early days to read as your friend must be going through such an awful time at the moment. I had delusions and hallucinations and I think my family must have despaired that I would ever be well again as I was 'switched off' for a while. So that's perhaps a good sign that your friend is communicating to a degree? Thankfully with good care and support I fully recovered to enjoy those precious times with my new baby, as your friend will eventually.
I think just being there as support for your friend and her husband is all you can do at the moment until she is stable. Try to keep talking and reassuring her although she might not make sense as she is fighting so hard to be well. Please take care of yourself too as this must be a stressful time for everyone. We are all here to listen .....
Thank you a lot for your answer. She's now in General Psychiatric Ward in UK. But just few days there. Cause few days earlier she was staying in Holland's hospital. As her husband was trying to bring her to country, where she's from. But it was unsuccessful, he had to stop the car, cause she started hit him while he was driving. When he stopped the car she runaway, her husband called police, finally with the help of police they found her next to river or lake, standing naked in water and shouting on policemen that you're vampires and stuff like that.
Hello Ina92
I'm glad that your friend is now safely in the General Psychiatric Ward here in the UK. When I had Postpartum Psychosis (PP) there were no mother and baby units but I was successfully treated under General Psychiatric care.
I'm so sorry your friend sounds very unwell and the delusions are all very real and frightening to her. It must have also been a worrying time for her husband. During my PP episodes I said and did things completely out of character too. Try not to worry as your friend is going through such trauma but once she settles into hospital her care team will be able to support and monitor her. Rest assured that she is in the right place to get the help she needs for now. Perhaps the frequently asked questions page at app-network.org/what-is-pp/faq might also be helpful to read as there are also personal experiences there.
Take care .... we are all here for you so please write if it helps.
Hi ina92 my sister had almost the same experience please tell me is she fine because after the episode my sister had severe depression hallusination panic attack she tried to comit suicide i saved her now she is in hospital please any advice
Hello bettysadki
What a wonderful sister you are to have saved your sister at such a frightening time. During my psychosis I had hallucinations and severe depression. I also heard a commanding voice which was very hard to resist. As your sister is in hospital she is now in the best place to get better.
I hope you can also find support for yourself at such a stressful time for you and your family. As well as the Insider Guide "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" there is also a blog "PP Soup" at ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com with shared experiences and info which you might find helpful. Take care .... we are all here to listen and support you.
Thanks for ansewering am now holding her baby of 7 months there is an other todler of 2 years and a doughter they are sufering im lost please keep informing me
Hello bettysadki
Thanks for replying and the lovely photo. Your sister will be so relieved that you are by her side. Can I ask if you are in the UK as there is much more awareness of Postpartum Psychosis (PP) here?
You are very welcome to come to the forum as there will be lots of support and shared experiences. Do you think it might be a good idea to have your own post separate to this so that you might have more support?
Is your sister in a mother and baby unit or psychiatric hospital? I was in a psychiatric unit many years ago and separated from my baby. Have the doctors been able to give you any advice about your sister's care plan and treatment? I'm so sorry you feel lost, it must be so difficult to cope when your sister is so unwell. Although it is a temporary illness, I think at the beginning it feels endless but with good medical care your sister will fully recover in her own time.
There is a link to frequently asked questions which might be helpful at app-network.org/what-is-pp/.... Please write again if we can help. We are all here for you. Take good care of yourself.
I m glad you recovered you are so kind thank you so much
Thank you so much bettysadki, I've been thinking of other sources of help and wonder if you might also find support at Postpartum Support International, postpartum.net/. On the page under 'Get help" if you click on international support you will find a list of countries and hopefully you can find support near you.
I don't know whether you also saw the Insider Guide link in this thread to "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" at app-supportnetwork.org/what... which might be helpful.
It is a lot for you to cope with so please remember to take care of yourself. We are all here for you.
Thank you ,you are great people ,you gave me hope ,I feel already support by your words ,special thanks
I am in morocco ,it is impossible to get help ,we live in a country that its people are not important ,humanity is in your heart .thank you
Hi bettysadki
I think Spain might be the nearest to Morocco as only ten miles apart (according to Google!!) I have clicked on the link to Spain on the Postpartum Support International (PSI) site and there are a few contacts mentioned, one being Lynne McIntyre who speaks English, French and Catalan at +34.668.693.824. Perhaps if you ring she will be able to give you a contact email address?
I hope this is helpful. Take care.
Thank you so much you re special 🌷🌹🐥
Thank you bettysadki for your kind words. I really hope you find the support and understanding you need. You're an amazing sister
Hello bettysadki
I'm so sorry to hear how heartbroken you are and feeling you have lost your sister. I think in the very early days it is very hard as your sister is probably fighting so hard to be well for her family but her illness is holding her back. Hopefully as soon as the medication and treatment starts to work you will see a difference.
In the early days of my first PP I was not communicating and was suspicious of everyone. Medication helped with my delusions and the voice I heard but I was very depressed for a while. I think you are amazing to put your own worries aside to care for your sister and her children.
I think if you take one day at a time it might help you to cope as too much stress is not good for you. I hope you have support for yourself at home. Take care ... we are here .... sending a hug xx
Thank you very much ,the problem is that they give her medication (,aripiprazole / olanzapine )that give her severe side effect like parkinson but it is better than the psychosis and hallusination .I will be with her .and I m so thankful for your support 💓
Are still on medication ,how long have you been on it ,my sister is taking 4 types benzodiazipine ,antipsychotic ,anti depression and an other I don ' t now it .it is 5 months but no improvement her baby is now 7 months he start moving and he has two teeth 👶
Hello bettysadki
I think the doctors are probably trying different medications to see which works for your sister. I remember I took different medications to find the right balance to suit me. I also had treatment as well. The medication did have a sedating effect and I felt much slower but it kept me stable which is the main thing. If you can see the forum page, there is a search box in the top right hand corner. If you type Olanzapine there and click on the filter 'my communities' you will find shared experiences, some of which talk of feeling 'zombie' like.
I made a full recovery many years ago and thankful that I don't take any medication. With my first PP I was under mixed general psychiatric care in hospital and other units for six months, without my son. All these years later I have a very strong bond with both treasured sons.
It does seem never ending at first but with good medical support, especially your loving care for your sister and her children, she will eventually feel better. Take care .... I hope you have support around you.
Am happy to know you re fine and you have bond with the sons ,I wish you all the best ,I will do all my best to help my sister ,she helped me a lot in all aspects of my life ,she was like a mother ,you can t imagine how kind and intellegent she was ,she is an english teacher .I LOVE my sister and I m ready to give her my eyes .we both were raised by a devorced wonderful woman ,my mum who is now sick but she is taking care of my nephews .thank you so much for giving me your time to express my feelings .glad you recovered and wish my sister and all women with this pp recover too ,big big hugs 😘
Thank you so much bettysadki. I think PP robs us of so much when it strikes ... our dignity, self respect, early days with our babies, and our minds ... for a while. It must be so hard for you as your mum is now sick but you have such strength as a family. You are very welcome to talk here whenever you feel like it and thank you for your kind words for women struggling with PP. I really hope with the links in the other posts here that you can find extra support. Do you think Postpartum Support International (PSI) in Spain is too far? Another forum user has had contact and they were very helpful although I realise it is probably expensive to phone.
I have looked again on the PSI site and there is a helpline text number, 503 894 9453 available 24 hours a day with a note that "you can leave a confidential message and a trained and caring volunteer will return your text. They will listen, answer questions, offer encouragement and connect with local resources as needed." Take good care of yourself ..... we are happy to be here for you 🌻
Hi bettysadki,
I am English but gave birth in Brazil as I was living there with my husband. I was given 6 months of medication and sent on my way! I had little support but then I found this forum!
Your sister is so lucky to have you and your family supporting her. You are amazing!
Look after yourself as well though.
Jx
Hi Ina92
what a great friend you are. I had p.p in 2016 and am totally well now. I had visitors when I was in psych unit but do not remember this but if you can visit as my dear friends did it would be helpful. Things I found helpful in no particular order were:
I was sent a few get well cards and when I stopped hallucinating I found them and I think that was when I realised I was in psych ward.
A friend kept a diary of everyday I was away from my family which although I could not read to start with I treasure dearly.
Make sure as many pics are taken of the baby as your friend can keep these and for me it made the gap smaller of not being with him.
People that visited me on psych ward brought me food Smarties jaffa cakes etc as I lost a lot of weight while in there. if you are allowed go in at meal times and see if you can help your friend eat that is what my husband ended up doing.
My sister brought me in McDonalds which I remember. I was not woken for breakfast and missed most meals so do remember being hungry.
We have great friends and they rallied round looking after my husband and baby. My husband lived with our friends
If you have any questions please feel free to message me. I send you all love and strength to get you through. As soon as the Drs find the right meds your friend will be on the path to recovery. If you have any questions please post them here this is a great group and everyone will be supportive. Marie x
Stick with her, brilliant that you care, I had pp 16years ago, I went to Priory Chelmsford mother and baby unit, I was v lucky they had a space, I had nanny to look after baby but keep him close to me, now he is 16 and we r both v well, keep visiting her, etc
Hi Ina
Welcome to the forum, it's so good you have found us. I'm really sorry to hear about your friend, I had PP 7 years ago after the birth of my son. It was so scary and traumatic, for me and my family, but also my friends.
As others have said, you can be such a great help and support. I know it must seem scary if she is very unwell, but she really is going to get better, but she will need as many people as possible supporting her.
I wanted to give you this link to this blog post that someone wrote about what to say to someone who has PP. It rang a lot of bells for me, and I thought that it may help you, in knowing how to support your friend:
ppsoup.com/2016/01/26/what-...
I also wondered if your friend has been offered a space in a mother and baby unit? It is very hard that she is not with her baby, and she should receive specialist support in a mother and baby unit. Has this been mentioned at all? It may be lucky that she is still in this country, and not back home, as in the UK, though things can always be better, we do have some really good specialist support for mum's who are mentally unwell after having their babies. I really hope your friend will be able to access this support.
Take care, and do come here with any questions, and support for yourself
Ellie
Thank you a lot for your answer. Just a day ago she got mom and baby unit, I'm so glad. Cause now she can see her daughter, nurse is bringing baby time to time to my friend for making a bond. At the moment she's staying in Nottingham's hospital and from tomorrow doctors will start giving proper medication, which according to them should be good for her. So hopefully, everything will be fine and she will recover soon.
Hi Ina
This is really great to hear that your friend is in a mother and baby unit now. I was treated in a mother and baby unit, and when I was very unwell with the psychosis, like your friend, I was able to be with him for only short amounts of time, but once I responded to the anti psychotic medication I was soon doing all his care, and enjoying being with him. Recovery can be up and down, to recover from the trauma of what has happened, but your friend really will get there, and it's great that she has the right support.
Take care, and never hesitate to write on here for any support or information.
Ellie
Hello again, I wanted to ask maybe you remember the name of medicine you were using. My friend is using olanzapin now, it seems it helps her little by little. In general, she's very sad that she needs to stay in hospital, she's always begging to go home, yesterday was so angry, even told husband that she will divorce him, if he's not gonna take her from hospital.
Hi Ina92,
What a lovely friend you are. I remember when I was in hospital friends stayed away. Your friend is very fortunate to have you as Im sure your visits will make a big difference. I was on olanzapine and it did help although I didnt stay on it long term as I was changed to a different anti psychotic.
Its pleasing to hear your friend has eventually been found a place in a mother and baby unit. I hope this speeds her recovery and builds her confidence ready for going home.
I remember clear as day being very angry one time after ward round when I had been told I wasnt well enough to go home that week. It felt as if the whole world was against me and I thought no one cared or understood how I felt.
The week after I was proved wrong because my psychiatrists broke her ankle and hobbled in for ward round. I was told she came in especially to make sure I got my discharge that day.
Really what i wanted to get across from the story above is that the week I was angry and so upset at not being allowed home when I thought I was ready was a sign that I was much improved but not quite there. Im sure your friend won't be hospitalized longer than necessary. When she is allowed home Im sure she will feel so much better knowing she has you to talk to and to help x
Hello Ina92
Great news to hear that your friend and baby are now together in the mom and baby unit. That must be such a relief for you and her family. I think the medication might take a few days to be effective. I hope your friend will slowly improve with good medical care in the company of her daughter.
You are such a supportive friend .... take care of yourself too.
Hello Ina92
I hope the specialist care of the mother and baby unit is helping your friend to recover from such a traumatic illness, although it's early days. In time she will find her feet and it's good that you are there to support her when you can.
We are all here to lean on. Take care.
Hello Ina92
Good to hear from you. I took antipsychotic medication but not Olanzapine as my PP was a long time ago. There are some posts about Olanzapine which might be helpful if you put the name into the 'search' box in the right hand corner of this page.
I'm sorry to hear your friend is sad that she needs to stay in hospital and wants to go home. I think I felt the same after a while but didn't realise how stressful it was to cope with a new baby, the effects of medication and routine. At first I was nervous about being home and missed the security of the unit. It was a gradual process, first for one night and building over time to weekend leave. I hope you can encourage your friend to stay where she is for now. The doctors will want what's best for her until she feels stronger and more confident with her baby. Take care of yourself too.
Hello Ina92
Thank you for taking the time to reply. You're a great support to your friend which must be such a comfort to her in these early days of recovery. Eventually she will be fine and very grateful for all your help. Take care.
Hi Ina
How is your friend doing? I hope that she is getting better? I know it takes time. Sorry I haven't written for a while, I have been away the last few weeks. I hope that your friend is slowly recovering. I'm sorry to hear she's distressed that she's in hospital. It could be the illness too, and just wanting to be back to normal, and what she expected to happen, not in hospital, which is such a natural feeling. I felt so much sadness that I'd been ill, and wasn't having the experience I'd hoped. It really is the right place for her though, while she's recovering, until she is better and able to look after her baby.
I was on Olanzapine too, like your friend. It was sedating, but this was good for me as it helped me to sleep which I was struggling with when I became ill (very common symptom of PP). After a few weeks unfortunately I dipped into depression, which some people who experience PP have after the psychotic episode. I was then also on an anti depressant, Escitilipram, but others are also put on a mood stabiliser as well.
Do write on here whenever you want to, with any questions, or just for support.
Take care,
Ellie
Hi bettysadki
I'm sorry to hear that you are in a difficult situation and your sister had such a frightening experience before she was taken to the private hospital. I can understand how difficult it must be as private care is expensive.
It is a shame for the children but I'm sure you are doing all you can for them. Your sister will get better with treatment and medication. During my PP I was very ill and depression followed but I did eventually fully recover. I'm so sorry that you are struggling but you have really helped your sister by taking her to hospital.
I think your sister will be so happy to know how much you helped her. It must be very distressing to see her so unwell but she will get better eventually. Take care ... we are all here for you.
It’s so hard and you are being so strong too, it’s amazing what you are doing for your sister and being there for her children too. Please try and take care of you too, thinking of you all, xx
Hi bettysadki,
We are all here to share the load so I'm glad if I can help in some small way. It's good that you searched and found shared experiences about medication. I don't think you would need to travel to Spain. It might be possible to arrange support locally via text .... this is what I hoped anyway but I might be wrong
Thank you for sharing the time of crisis for your sister and how you managed to save her. I think it's a cry for help. I was also in distress and waiting for a psychiatrist to visit when a commanding voice took over and I suffered the consequences. I'm really pleased the forum has given you hope that your sister will recover and be reunited with her children and family. Peace of mind is a gift I hope you will find. You are such a caring sister and strength for her to lean on. Just make sure you have support as you seem to be holding everything together for the love of family. Take good care of yourself ..... sending a hug xx
Thanks god you are now fine ,I wish you a happy life ,take care of the lovely sons ,they must be proud of you
Hi bettysadki
I hope your sister is slowly recovering and has the support she needs. Take care of yourself too as you are doing so much.
Hi Lilybeth My sister started to communicate yesterday I called her and I told her I miss her she said me too I can 't tell you how happy I felt but still I can' t deny I m scared ,she is on anafranil and seroquoel and benzodiazipine ,have heard about any one taking this ?she said they are making her constipated .I m glad you asked me ,I told my family about your kindness and interest in helping ,I have nothing to say but you re such an angle .thank you ,
Hello dearest bettysadki,
You are such a wonderful support to your sister.
I was so terribly lost when suffering from this traumatising illness in 2010. It is such a difficult time for the once who love mum and baby, too.
I was sectioned and my first year is not an established memory of that year. Foggy and unclear as my brain shut off for a long time. My partner was the one, who always was there for me as full time carer once I was released from the Psychiatric Unit.
Throughout the illness there were light moments according to my partner's feedback, obviously the anti-psychotics were trying to tackle my Psychosis.
All our cases are very unique and despite our experience, my partner and I, we survived...your sister will recover, too.
I also felt so blessed when I found APP 5 years later, where I found compassion and support.
Look after yourself amazing sister...xxx
Hi bettysadki
I'm so happy to hear your sister started to communicate yesterday .... it must have been a very special moment for you both. That was the same for me at first, I 'switched off' and wasn't communicating. I can understand how you feel scared but as your sister is responding to the medication and treatment she is receiving, hopefully each day is a step forward.
Perhaps the side effects of the medication might cause constipation? I know that Seroquel is also called Quetiapine and some mums on the forum have experience of this but I'm not sure about the other medications. My PP was a long time ago and the medications have been updated since
Thank you so much for your kind words .... we are all here to lean on. Take good care of yourself too.
Hi yes quetipine is that medication ,i m scared because me i noticed the change to better but she keeps saying she is still depressed ,I think she needs time to feel better ,I wonder wether why women feel so depressed even on medication may be. They need time ,and more support .big big kisses to you lilybet and all women in the forum I know how hard to be in that experience
Hi bettysadki, It must be such a relief that your sister is now communicating as she can tell you how she feels even though it worries you. During my recovery from PP I suffered with depression and you are so right that your sister will need time to feel better.
I think going through psychosis is very traumatic. In Section 2 (page 9) of "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... there is a note about depression, "Depression is a common reaction to a traumatic experience, and can also be caused by the disruption of your brain chemistry following psychosis or mania ........." You are an amazing sister and a great comfort to your sister. Depression is very hard to fight but with your family's loving support your sister will get better in her own time. Take care of yourself .... it's not easy for you but try not to worry.
Thank you very very much ,you re great
Hi bettysadki
I hope you are looking after yourself as well as caring so much for your sister and her family. It will take a while for her to feel better, especially if she is depressed, but to know you are there for her must be a great comfort. I hope you will see a difference when the medication has had time to work. Take care.
There is something weird happening she in the morning and evening feel very depressed and has an obsessive thoughts she said she is a crazy but at night zshe looks relaxed a little. Also I notice that her eyes shape and look are different when she is depressed they are wide open and at night she has normal look, any way she is better than the past she started to love and communicate with her children, did you remember thing similar to these ? Thanks for asking about us
Hi bettysadki
Sorry to hear your sister is very depressed in the morning and evening and is having obsessive thoughts. When I had depression after PP it did take over a year for me to recover. At times I needed to return to hospital as an outpatient for treatment due to my thoughts and feelings. Medication and treatment has changed over the years so everyone recovers in their own time, some quicker than others. Perhaps if you are worried, you could ask for a review with a doctor?
I'm glad your sister is better than in the past and communicating, which must be such a relief for you. Please remember to take care of yourself too. Sending you a hug
Hi bettysadki,
Just another thought that might be helpful ..... there's a recent post on the forum "Depression after psychosis" with shared experiences. If you type 'Depression' into the search box at the top right of the forum page and click on 'my communities' you should be able to find it there. Just to give you some hope and reassurance. xx
Hi bettysadki
I'm so sorry to read your latest post that your sister is still sick and has gone with her aunt to another city. After all your efforts to keep the family together you must be heartbroken. I think with time away your sister will be able to concentrate on getting better and hopefully there will be good medical support for her. It is for her own safety and I really hope one day to hear that your sister did fully recover from such an awful illness. Take good care of yourself and thank you for sharing with us.
I feel we know each other Reading your post make me relaxed, yes it is heart breaking n disppointing but that os reality we should accept it as it is. Hoping for the best. I will inchaallah one day I will write and tell you good news. For me I'm married since 2008 I have no children .my husband and I are infertile. But what happened to my sister is the worst experience ever. But I love to be happy and to enjoy life, what ever happen. Big big hugs
Thank you bettysadki ..... it is disappointing but your sister will get better in her own time. With my second PP I was so ill that my family didn't think I would ever recover from my depression but thankfully I did. Going through and recovering from psychosis is very frightening but it it possible to get better. I admire your outlook on being happy and enjoying life whatever happens. Thank you for sharing about your husband and yourself.
You have been through so much taking care of your sister. Perhaps now that you know she is being well cared for by your aunt, you will be able to rest a little yourself? Peace of mind is priceless and I hope your sister will find it, lovingly supported by you and family. Big hugs across the miles to you ..... please take care.
I swearI read and tears are in my eyes how nice you are, I m glad you recovered and you help people you have golden heart, yes you are right I feel better cuz my sister is in my aunt house, my cousins are very kind. I promise I all take care of my self and my niece an two nephews,bye golden Lilybeth
Bye bettysadki ...... your sister is so lucky to have you to take care of her children. Thinking of you. Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Lilybeth how are you ? Hope you are fine ,my sister asked me to ask you this ,she is imagining her self hurting her kids ,she wants to know whether any woman exprienced this ,is it normal ,do these images subside please answer me ,best wishes
Hi bettysadki, Good to hear from you. I'm well thank you and hope you are too. I think when we are suffering from psychosis there can be some strange thoughts we never imagined as you have described. I didn't experience the thought your sister had. My main problem was hearing a commanding voice and having delusions which no one could see except me. There will be other mums here to share their experiences but there are also personal experiences at app-network.org/what-is-pp/....
The thoughts we have are all very real and frightening at the time. I hope your sister is able to tell the doctor about this so that she can be helped with medication and or treatment. Take care.
Thank you so much I will see the link 💞♕
I found a story similar to my sister's .I will call my sister and tell her ,thank you so much
Dear Bettysadki,
I'm really glad that Lilybeth has helped you to find a story that is similar to your sisters. It sounds like you are doing such an amazing job of supporting your sister, and in such a difficult situation where perhaps the professional support isn't as good as here.
Yes, the thoughts your sister is having are quite normal and a lot of people experience them. They're usually called 'intrusive thoughts' and the important thing for your sister to know is that it's the illness, the thoughts aren't 'real', it's not her fault, and doesn't make her a 'bad person'. I see it a bit like the brain just thinks of the worst things (as I think we all do sometimes, but the thoughts are fleeting) and then you feel awful for having that thought, and then you get 'stuck' on the thought because you are poorly.
To me her thoughts sound a little bit like perinatal OCD symptoms (there are lots of cross overs with different illnesses). You may find it helpful to read this page about perinatal OCD, and whether they seem similar to the symptoms / thoughts your sister is experiencing? Maternal OCD is a UK charity who support mum's going through it: maternalocd.org/about-perin...
I know it is hard to believe that your sister will get better, but she will come through it. I hope you are coping OK yourself with looking after her children too.
Take care,
Ellie X