My daughter

[WMAM]

I was just told my daughter has been dx with Postpartum Psychosis. She lives about 4 hours from me and I need some suggestions on what I can do from a distance besides try and talk to her daily. Does she need to keep a diary daily for her to share with her Dr?

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello WMAM

Welcome to the forum where you will find lots of support. It must have been such a shock for you to hear that your daughter has been diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis (PP) but we are all here to share our experiences and offer advice. I wonder if you are in the UK and whether your daughter is in hospital or mother and baby unit?

Perhaps it might be an idea for you to look at the PP Insider Guides "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... and there is also a guide for partners, so that you can read about the illness and tips for the early days and beyond. It must be a worry for you to live hours away from your daughter and grandchild. Is it possible that you could use Skype so that your daughter can see you every day? Keeping a diary of how your daughter is feeling from day to day would be helpful for professionals to see how she is coping as recovery can be very up and down at times.

PP is a very treatable, temporary illness so please reassure your daughter that with good medical care and support she will fully recover eventually. I had PP years ago, with thoughts and delusions, which were all very real and frightening at the time.

This is a good safe place for you to share any concerns you might have. We all understand and know how hard it is in the early days after diagnosis for your daughter, family and friends. Please take care of yourself too at such a stressful time.

[Hidden]

Good morning WMAM

Thank you for getting in touch with the forum and trying to seek support for your daughter. A warm welcome to you!

I am truly sorry that your daughter is struggling with PPP. You must be very worried. In my case my parents were abroad and devastated when they found out their daughter was so poorly in 2010.

Yes, as Lilybeth said it would be good to find out what kind of support your daughter is receiving.

In my case I was sectioned and far too poorly to keep a diary. I wonder whether it would be good for you to dot down important details and information. With whom can you communicate? My partner had to take charge of everything and was continuously up-dating my family.

Sometimes it is so difficult for loved ones, especially for parents. My partner's parents were involved in my care plan, particularly looking after the baby and giving my partner time-out as he was my full time carer once I was discharged from hospital.

I believe it is always good to listen to everybody involved and reconsider primary needs of mum and baby.

Look after yourself...we are here to listen and share our experience with you, if you wish to...

x

[Hidden]

That must be so worrying for you being such a long way away. Is your daughter able to see her baby? Sometimes drugs can affect your co ordination, and being able to do normal tasks. Rest is so important, - sleeping in a strange environment away from family is not pleasant. I had a relative who was seriously ill, and found arranging the time of day with him when I was going to phone helpful. So often the staff are so busy they don't have time to organise phone chats with patients. Text message are brilliant . Hopefully you both have mobile phones and I found it helpful if a care assistant or nurse turned on the phone, and you could ask staff if they will help to work round meal times. Do hope she makes good progress and is able to come home. She is lucky to have a supportive mum like you! Take care.

[NanaJudith_APP_Vol Volunteer]

Hello WMAM,

I am so sorry that your daughter has been diagnosed with PP. My daughter too had Postpartum Psychosis almost two years ago. It is such a shock and trauma, I know how devastating and worrying that must be for you, the more so that you are so far away. At least you are able to speak on the phone. I hope that now she has a diagnosis she can be treated, has a Mother and Baby Unit been mentioned?

I am so glad that you have found Action PP and the forum, I found such help and reassurance from the volunteers as did my daughter as she recovered.

Trust that your daughter too will recover given the right treatment, time and the great support you and hopefully the rest of her family and friends will be giving her. I hope that you will be able to see your daughter and your grandchild soon.

Take care of yourself.

Thinking of you as one Mother/Granny to another.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello WMAM

Just wondering how your daughter is .... I hope you have found ways to support her from a distance besides talking daily. It's very early days but at least now she has a diagnosis the professionals will know how to help. Take care.

[Hidden]

Thinking of you WMAM,

your love and kindness will help and support your daughter, especially in moments of despair.

Look after yourself,

x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello WMAM

I hope you found the replies here helpful and your daughter is slowly recovering. It is a good idea to keep a diary of ups and downs if possible, even just with emoji faces if she doesn't feel like writing anything. I'm sure your support is a great comfort to her, even from a distance.

Take care of yourself too as it can be stressful for everyone at times, although I'm sure your grandchild is a delight.

[NanaJudith_APP_Vol Volunteer]

Hello again WHAM,

I hope that your daughter is recovering well and that you too are well after such a shock and worry. The road to recovery from PP can be up and down and I hope that your daughter is being kind to herself as she regains her health and confidence.

I know that you are at a geographical distance from your daughter but trust that you have still been able to enjoy some time with her and your little grandchild. As others have said, your support in whatever way will be of immense help to your daughter, she is lucky to have you.

Best wishes

Judith x