postpartum psychosis

[Shonali22]

so my psychiatrist has diagnosed me with postpartum psychosis. I was on Olanzapine. 2.5 MG for a month but did not show any improvement. Now she has put me on Aripiprazole 2MG twice a day. It’s been four days. I am taking it but still not seeing any improvement. I know it takes time but I believe that the medications are not going to work on me and I will be like this forever, it is really exhausting because I always have intrusive thoughts about hurting my baby and also others. I also believe that somebody is following me or somebody is there after me or I am being possessed as on spirit is after me I have these delusions happening with me. I do not hear any voices or see anything. Please help.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Shonali22

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. I’m so sorry you have been duagnosed with postpartum psychosis. Welcome to this safe pace where we all understand and are here to share our experiences.

I had postpartum psychosis many years ago and as hard as it must be now for you, please know that it won’t be forever. Are you in the UK with access to the perinatal mental health service for support? It’s good that your psychiatrist is reviewing your medication to find which works for you.

I remember how exhausting the intrusive thoughts were for me at the time. Is it possible to distract yourself from your thoughts with music or something similar? These thoughts are the illness and not a reflection on you so try not to worry although that’s easier said than done.

Going through the trauma of postpartum psychosis and recovery can be very draining but with good care and support you will eventually feel better.

Thanks for writing ... take good care of yourself and please pop in here again if it helps. I know I was very relieved to find the forum and all the virtual friends here who cared very much. 🌻

[Shonali22 in reply to Lilybeth]

Hi, thank you for your kind word. Its very difficulty for me right now specially when my family is not supportive at all. I’m living in india currently. If i could get some perinatal threapy or help that would be really good for me. Thanks !

[hgallo Volunteer in reply to Shonali22]

Hi Shonali22, I'm Hannah and I had psychosis after the birth of my twin girls in 2016. You will get better, it does take time, and I know it's really hard and scary in the acute phase you're in now. But you're taking meds and seeing a specialist doctor and that's the right things to be doing. Also, I know those thoughts are scary but I Lilybeth is right, it's the illness not you. Keep talking to us here and seeing your doctor.

I found this for you too: In India, NIMHANS perinatal psychiatric national helpline is ([phone]. The Doula Collective Postpartum Support Initiative also offers a free support group. The Green Oak Initiative: Chiguru perinatal mental health initiative can be contacted on ([phone] and ([phone]

I hope some of that will be useful for you, you will get through this, me and Lilybeth are proof of that. And we're here whenever you need to talk. Take care x

[Shonali22 in reply to hgallo]

Thank you so much for your support❤️ I will reach out on this helpline❤️💛

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Shonali22]

Hi Shonali22

I’m so sorry to hear things are very difficult for you right now without family support. I hope the info given by Hannah will help you to find guidance through such a worrying time for you.

I don’t know if you found the forum via Postpartum Support International? If so you will already know they have local support in India, details of which can be found via postpartum.net/. There you will find links to PSI co-ordinators and other information.

Thinking of you so far away. It’s not easy for you and I hope you find the help you deserve. Take care 🌸

[Shonali22 in reply to Lilybeth]

Hi Lilybeth, i have not found this group through international support, it was sent to me by someone. And do not know how to find local support details in india. Kindly help.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi Shonali22

Yes, of course, I hope this will be another avenue of support ....

So, if you go to the website postpartum.net it will take you to their page where you click on “Get Help” ......

If you then scroll down and click on “Connect with a PSI Support Volunteer” ....

then click on “International” this will take you to the “International Support” page.

There you will find a drop down list of countries where you will find India.

This will take you to the PSI Co-Ordinators with phone and email contact details. One being [e-mail]/ with mobile [phone] .....

I hope this is helpful to you.

I also wanted to mention another resource “PP Soup” described as “a nourishing mix of all things Postpartum Psychosis” at ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com/. Put together by a mum who suffered PP with input from other mums and professionals. This might be reassuring for you and perhaps might be helpful for your family to understand how difficult this illness is for you.

Be kind to yourself and take care 🌺

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi Shonali22

I hope you are managing to cope.

I’m not wanting to overwhelm you but I thought the PP Insider Guide “Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis” might be helpful, including other personal stories on the page at app-network.org/what-is-pp/.... Although the links are for the UK I hope it will give you some comfort to know you’re not alone.

Take care ... we are all here to lean on 🌹

[MotherOfBears]

others have given you some practical advice for getting more support. But I just wanted to say that you will get better and come out the other side, we are all proof of this. Thinking of you, take care, let us know how you are getting on if that would help you

[Shonali22]

Since i have been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and its been very hard because then i cant function at all. This is all about asking help you could just help me with buying or order formula. Its a request i’m running out of time. we do not have social services here and nobody is supportive. Its will be a huge help. i am unable to work because of my health issue. Please help. I have one in stock only left now if anybody could help?

[Maria_at_APP Moderator in reply to Shonali22]

Hello Shonali22, things are sounding very overwhelming at the moment, and I am very sorry you are finding yourself unsupported at the moment. Can you get in touch with your doctor or midwife if you are still under the midwives and explain your situation? They may be able to provide you with support. Do you have friends or family that may be able to step in and help?

[Shonali22 in reply to Maria_at_APP]

Hello Maria, i wish someone could step in and help but i’m like a single parent. I tried a lot to find help but got no help so i’m really looking for help here now.

[Maria_at_APP Moderator in reply to Shonali22]

Hi Shonali22, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be at the moment to feel all the responsibility lies only on you and to look for help and not find it. We are an UK based charity so we have limited knowledge of the network of help in India. That's why I suggested contacting your doctor, midwife or health visitor as they may be able to signpost you to local help. Apart from your partner or husband, does your family or your in laws live near you?

[Shonali22]

My doctor does’nt support in this. Amd i live alone and lost my job at the moment thats why i needed help in the buying thr formula just this time until i’ll soon start working.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Shonali22

I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. Have you been able to contact anyone for support from Postpartum Support International? I’m not sure which part of India you live but there has been some awful weather there lately so I hope you are safe. Take care.

[hgallo Volunteer]

Shonali22, I'm so sorry things are so hard for you at the moment. Could you reach out to your local temple, church etc for food support? Do they have food banks where you are in India? Glad you're still in touch. We'll help where we can and always here to listen x

[Shonali22]

No food banks are not available here. I have tried everything.

[hgallo Volunteer in reply to Shonali22]

Hi Shonali22, I just wanted to know I've been thinking about you. I hope things are getting better for you and you're finding a way through. How are you feeling? Are the meds working ok for you?

Take good care. We're here if you need to chat anytime x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Shonali22

I hope by now you have found support for yourself and your baby. Take care.