Taking care after postpartum psychosis

[Little_jay]

Hello everyone,

I posted a couple of weeks back about my sister who was suffering from PP. She has shown remarkable improvement after her medication was changed to God sent ‘ olanzapine’ . In just a matter of two weeks. She will be returning to her home in Europe next month with her family. Is there any advice that you guys might give to her family while taking care of. How to avoid future relapses. How to cope with work and family stress.

Thank you for all the support here. You guys have been a immense support, showed me light in extremely dark days of my sister.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Little_jay

You must be so relieved that your sister has shown so much improvement on medication that she is returning home in a few months I think you should also take credit for being such a supportive sister at such a difficult time for family.

There is a section in the PP Guides mentioned here before I think at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... with notes on returning home and how partners can help. There are also frequently asked questions on that page which includes a note under "Am I likely to have an episode of psychiatric illness at other times?" in the third paragraph beginning. ..... "It has been suggested that some women who experience PP will be vulnerable to relapse at times of major hormonal fluctuation ........"

It is very important the your sister takes her medication regularly. I think I mentioned that my relapse occurred because I thought I could do without it, which I found to my cost was not the case by being very ill and almost back to square one.

Even though your sister is well enough to return home to Europe, I think her family will need to be mindful that she might still be vulnerable and will need time to fully recover. For me, returning home gradually was a big step and out of my comfort zone at times.

I didn't return to work for a few years following my PP episodes as I had to rebuild my confidence and belief in myself. It is a very traumatic illness and I don't think we realise how much time it takes to recover from such a major trauma. Hopefully when she returns home, professional support will be in place and she will be able to rest as much as possible to fully heal. I think I mentioned in your previous thread and gave a link to Postpartum Support International? Perhaps when your sister returns to Europe the family might link up for local support, if needed, at postpartum.net/.

Thank you for your kind words ..... it is good to know that the forum has been a light in the darkness, which we have all been privileged to share. Please take good care of yourself too.

Best wishes to your sister for her continuing recovery

[Ines19 Volunteer]

Hi Little_jay

I feel what you are asking is such an important question. I always felt the support of family and friends is so important in the recovery.

Unfortunately my family didn't have any advice and things were tuff. They tried to help but didn't know how to n some things that happened were not very nice.

My advice is your sister is recovering from a very tramatic illness. Give her space she doesnt need any stress added by family members that cant cope. Talk to her about things. There will be stuff that happened that she won't remember. Don't keep on about it. What happened when she was ill sometimes is better left behind.

Try and offer help with daily tasks like if she is stressing to go to the supermarket n face big crowds go with her or offer to go fr her. She will get there in time. I do everything by myself now whereas when I was ill I couldnt even do my hair.

It is also very important t remind her that you love her n are there fr her no matter what. This is prob something people assume but if you have had PP you begin t question everything.

It will take a long time to recover fully from this and many people say the person changes and is not the same person they were before. After being through something so traumatic expecting nothing to change is unrealistic but you can all ensure it changes for the better.

Big hugs n well done for being such a good support to your sister xx

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hi Little _jay,

Lilybeth and Ines have given you some very good points what it might be like for your sister. I can relate to all what has been highlighted by my fellow forum members.

Recovery is a unique experience and my obstacles have been diverse and much greater than my partner and his family could anticipate. I have had no family support from my parents as I am living in the UK and not in my country.

I am so happy for your sister to be able to return back home. You go there where you feel at home. My greatest support was and still is my partner, who actually got me out of a Psychiatric Unit, which was just not a suitable for my needs.

With love and care by the once who just look out for you and want the best for you and your baby will help with the recovery in time.

Despite a better after care I still was misdiagnosed for 8 years and APP members and the forum was actually a mayor turning point for my recovery. Health professionals are vital, but the once who are specialised in pre and post natal issues have been the answer to my struggles.

Stress, fears and anxiety maybe something she is going to struggle with and, because of my own experience I would recommend therapeutic avenues...any task can be magnified as unmanageable and unbearable and needs to be divided in stepping stones...like Ines mentioned the super market. Gosh, I can relate to this so much...years of practise and I still do not like shopping and feel uncomfortable amongst crowds, but that is because of my Bipolar...

We are all different, divers-we have to tune into mum's needs and always respect her VOICE!

Take care,

x