Repeated PP episodes

[Jane5678]

I am so worried for my sister who is experiencing her third PP eposode since the birth of her son over 19 months ago. Everything i read suggests that usually you have one episode and after the first year the risk reduces. Anyone else experienced this? I am so heartbroken for her as her recovery was going well then we seem to go back to square one. Trying to understand how to be there for her and help prevent a further episode, if possible. I worry for her son as he is more aware, plus her self esteem and confidence takes such a knock each time. Any advice appreciated.

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Jane5678

Congratulations on the birth of your nephew, I am so very sorry that your sister had pp and that she has had some relapses during her long recovery. Is she under a mental health team at the moment? I had ppp in 2018 and have not experienced relapses so far, but those can happen during recovery.

I would suggest to raise your concerns with a mental health professional and seek advice from them. It may be some external factor behind your sister's sudden deterioration, a bereavement, a sudden increase in tension or stress, perhaps a change on medication that didn't suit her body.

In terms of helping your sister now and in the future, just be there for her; that she knows no matter what she can count on you for whatever she needs.

Take good care, write here whenever you want to talk

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Jane5678,

a warm welcome to this forum. You will find a lot of support from mums here, who have experienced this traumatising illness. I have learnt so much over the years with APP and health professionals helped me further, which I found via advise on this site.

First of all congratulation on becoming an aunty! I am so sorry for your sister's struggles.

I found APP 5 yrs into my recovery. I have had PPP in 2010 and had to be sectioned. My unique experience and mental health challenges have been longer than expected, because as Emi Mum rightly explained about external stress factors; Unfortunately I was not in an MBU and the hospital experience was traumatising followed by the loss of 2 important family members.

You are doing such an amazing job to be there for your sister. My partner cared for me full time. A support network of health professionals was put into place. The after care was so much better. In the first two years as a family we were designated a health visitor, I have had a care coordinator for many years and eventually was able to contribute to my care plan.

Is your sister receiving mental health community support? Is there a peri natal mental health team accessible? It maybe worthwhile to work things out via the GP and explore available MH services in your sisters locality.

With regards to your question about continuous psychotic experiences throughout recovery; Yes, mine were certainly stress induced. When my dad passed away 2 yrs after PPP I continued with auditory hallucination, purely because of grief for over one year.

I was firstly diagnosed with agora and social phobia, but eventually diagnosed with Bipolar1.

Please, be aware that our triggers are very diverse and our genealogical template and life experiences very unique. Treatment in my opinion has to be tailor-made for your sister. It is important to pursue therapeutic avenues, including reflecting on meds via the advise and support of a psychiatrist or any other appropriate health professional.

I was weaned off from very traditional meds a bit over a year later by a very good female Psychiatrist. I recovered from PPP. My life quality is good and lead a very happy life style with my big and little man.

Hope this helps a little with your sorrows. Take care of yourself, too.

x

[Jane5678 in reply to Pikorua]

Thank you for this, my nephew is lovely and so full of beans. We were lucky in that the first time she got a bed in a mother and baby unit. The second time was a general ward away from her son and with no visitors due to lockdown. She is now under the EI team. Being on here is helping me better understand her sensory issues and struggles with coping with daily life.

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Jane5678]

HelloJane5678

Welcome to the forum where you will find lots of support and shared experiences. I’m so sorry you sister is suffering and you are heartbroken. It is sad that the joy of a baby should be tarnished by such an awful illness.

I had PP twice many years ago and was sectioned to general psychiatric care without my first son. Similarly with my second son, six years later, although I did receive support from the Home Care Team who visited on a regular basis.

PP is a great challenge not only to the mum but family too when some days are better than others. As you know from previous episodes, your sister is fighting to be well and it’s very hard to fight the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

I wonder if the PP Guides might be helpful at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... although with your sister’s previous episodes you probably know what to expect?

I think you are doing all you can ..... just being there for your sister will be a great comfort. With good medical care and support your sister will be well eventually. Remember to take care of yourself too as at times it must be overwhelming.

We are all here for each other .... take care.

[Jane5678 in reply to Lilybeth]

Thanks for this, I know with time she will start to get better. I will have a look at the link.

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Jane5678]

Hello Jane5678

It’s good that you have insight into your sister’s illness. There is also another resource which might be helpful “PP Soup - a nourishing mix of all things postpartum psychosis” put together by a lovely PP mum with contributions from other mums and also professionals. The link is ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com/. Take care

[Pikorua Volunteer in reply to Jane5678]

Good morning Jane5678,

you are welcome. I am so happy that you have developed a banter with your nephew.

...and yes, your sister will get better in time. We all have, recovery is just a slow process and it is important that your sister can be as stress free as possible.

Because of my bipolar I live with sensory processing issues and share great compassion with your sister. When it is pretty bad I wear head phones or ear defenders. I try to focus on one task only, especially pursuing something, which calms me down. That can be part of a daily routine including cleaning, but I often paint, focus on studies, spending quality time with my son, gardening...or just sitting or lying down and listening to meditative music in order to calm my busy mind. Aromatherapy can be useful, too.

I am wishing your sister lots of healing time and all in stepping stones. When poorly it is just nice to receive love and kindness, not to be judged and just listen to, if wanting to talk. Communication was not my strongest point at the time as my concentration level was so terribly low.

You've got to take care, too. It can be rather exhausting for a loved one!

A virtual hug to you and your sister.

[Jane5678 in reply to Pikorua]

I have got to admit in my desire for her to be better I have pushed her to start cooking again and read self help books. But now, through reading others posts can understand just how difficult, if not impossible, these things can be when you are recovering. I will make sure when she comes to mine that there is no tv or music on instead of her having to ask. I really had no insight as to how these things are just too overwhelming for her. Thanks again.

[Pikorua Volunteer in reply to Jane5678]

Thank you for your message Jane5678,

we are all unique with our recovery. In my opinion appropriate professional treatment and TLC via family is absolutely vital for a good start into recovery and throughout.

It had been extremely frustrating not to be able to read for a long time as I used to be an academic. My previous life, the one before PPP is very different to the one I lead nowadays. I re-scaffolded new skills and adjusted previously required skills.

If you just can be there for her with your love and kindness. Readiness for whatever your sister wants to pursue will come in time. You know her best, if there is anything she would like to do you might could ask whether she likes to try it out and you could join.

Self-esteem, confidence and reassurance maybe one of the aspects, which still needs to be re-built.

My partner never forced me to do anything, but tried to give reassurance. One of the biggest motivator was to work towards a goal in stepping stones i.e. looking after my son, entering a super market, practising communication, being in enclosed environments etc, going to an appointment... I remember that everything was extremely exhausting and such hard work, some days were better than others.

Managing life skills with mental health challenges had to be "reset", whereby I had to establish a toolkit for recognising triggers, being able to implement coping mechanisms and accessing therapeutic avenues to enhance skills from survival to a network of skills covering my needs and being able to look after my son.

I do hope that advise and support will be available and that there are opportunities for therapy/therapeutic healing. Because of Pandemic, a lot is offered online including art workshops for free via hospital room.

The Hospital Rooms Digital Art School

Broadcasting LIVE every Thursday at 14:00 GMT

I am just mentioning it, because creativity was the one which helped me in the first instance.

Take care, got to watch the kids voice with my son now

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Jane5678,

I am so glad that reading these posts have given you a bit of an insight on your sister's experience. It is pretty amazing of you writing here wanting to understand more of what she is going through.

You have already got great replies from Pikorua on how self steem and confidence have suffered a big knock for your sis.

Sometimes celebrating certain milestones is very rewarding. I remember it felt so good the day I was able to play a card game from start to finish with my brother. Its the little things. Pikorua's advice of starting with the things she likes to do is a great one. You sister is trying to rebuild herself again, reminding her that who she is has not gone away, will be a huge boost.

Thinking of you

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jane5678

I hope your sister is taking one day at a time in her recovery. I’m sure she is very comforted by your support. Thinking of you .... take care.