Postpartum Psychosis: Symptoms, Warning Signs, Treatment and Recovery

Learn about postpartum psychosis, its warning signs, risk factors, treatment and recovery, through the experience of Ivana Poku and the ongoing Lindsay Clancy trial.

When motherhood does not feel the way you expected

Becoming a parent is often described as one of life's happiest experiences. Yet for some mothers, the period following childbirth can bring overwhelming psychological distress, frightening thoughts and, in rare cases, a serious loss of contact with reality.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but severe mental health condition that can develop after childbirth. According to the source article, it affects approximately one in every 1,000 mothers in the UK. It can involve delusions, hallucinations, extreme changes in mood, confusion and disturbed thinking. In severe cases, there can be a risk of harm to the mother or other people.

The condition has received renewed attention through the trial of Lindsay Clancy in the United States. Clancy is accused of killing her three children. Her defence argues that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and therefore was not criminally liable, while prosecutors argue that the deaths resulted from an intentional decision. The case remains a legal matter, and the competing claims should not be treated as established facts.

A mother's experience of frightening thoughts

The article shares the experience of Ivana Poku, a UK mother who says she experienced postpartum mental health difficulties after the premature birth of her twins.

Her pregnancy and delivery were followed by an emergency Caesarean section at 34 weeks. Her newborn sons were taken into neonatal intensive care, and she did not hold them until several days after their birth. The family subsequently spent around two weeks in the NICU, an experience she later described as extremely difficult.

Sleep deprivation and the demands of caring for two babies contributed to an increasingly difficult period. Poku describes experiencing intrusive thoughts about her children being harmed, followed by suicidal thoughts and a profound sense that she was failing as a mother.

Her symptoms later became more disturbing. She says she sometimes viewed her twins as aliens and felt disconnected from ordinary life. She also describes an experience in which she felt as though she was being controlled by something outside herself.

These experiences illustrate why postpartum mental health symptoms should never be dismissed as simply the normal exhaustion of new parenthood.

What is postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is different from the more common emotional difficulties that can occur after childbirth. It can profoundly affect a person's perception of reality.

The source article explains that symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, mania, low moods and significant changes in behaviour. Someone experiencing psychosis may believe that what they are seeing, hearing or thinking is completely real, even when those around them recognise that something is wrong.

This loss of insight can make the condition particularly difficult to identify. A person may not realise that they are becoming unwell, meaning that partners, relatives or close friends may be the first people to notice changes.

Warning signs to watch for

Dr Julie Hammond, an NHS GP and women's health specialist quoted in the article, identifies several signs that families should take seriously.

One important warning sign is a dramatic reduction in the need for sleep. Other possible symptoms include unusually rapid speech, racing thoughts and speech that becomes difficult to follow. A person may also become highly agitated or energetic, confused, paranoid or suspicious. Behaviour may change significantly and appear out of character.

These symptoms should not be ignored, particularly when they appear suddenly after childbirth.

It is also important to distinguish between intrusive thoughts and an intention to act on them. Poku describes frightening thoughts that she found distressing and did not believe she would act upon. However, her experience demonstrates how quickly severe mental distress can become overwhelming and why honest conversations with trusted people and healthcare professionals matter.

Why asking for help can be difficult

One of the most important themes in Poku's story is that she did not initially understand what was happening to her.

She says she had heard about postnatal depression but knew little about psychosis. She also describes feeling that routine postnatal checks focused heavily on physical recovery, while questions about mental health did not always create an environment in which she felt comfortable disclosing frightening thoughts.

This highlights the importance of compassionate mental health care after childbirth. People may be frightened that admitting intrusive thoughts will make others judge them or question their ability to parent. Creating a safe environment where mothers can speak honestly can make it easier for them to seek support.

Postpartum psychosis is treatable

Although postpartum psychosis is serious, recovery is possible.

The article describes the condition as highly treatable and emphasises that people can make a full recovery with appropriate support. Poku eventually confided in her husband and a close friend. She then became more open with other mothers and recognised that she was not alone in struggling with motherhood and mental health.

Her later life demonstrates that a severe postpartum mental health crisis does not have to define someone's future. The article reports that she has recovered, maintained a close relationship with her children, welcomed another child and written about her experiences.

The importance of recognising symptoms early

The wider lesson from these experiences is that postpartum mental health deserves the same attention as physical recovery.

New mothers can experience exhaustion, anxiety, depression and intrusive thoughts, but sudden changes in behaviour, severe insomnia, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations or beliefs that appear disconnected from reality require urgent professional attention.

Loved ones also have an important role. Someone experiencing psychosis may not recognise that they are unwell, so partners, relatives and friends should take significant behavioural changes seriously rather than assuming they are simply part of adjusting to a newborn.

Most importantly, mothers experiencing frightening thoughts should not automatically interpret those thoughts as evidence that they are bad parents. Mental illness can produce experiences that are profoundly different from a person's usual thoughts, feelings and values. The right response is compassion, safety and professional support.

Final thoughts

Postpartum psychosis is rare, but its potential consequences make awareness essential. The experiences described by Ivana Poku show how frightening postpartum mental illness can become, while her recovery demonstrates why early recognition and appropriate treatment matter.

The Lindsay Clancy case has also prompted wider discussion about postpartum mental health, medical care and the difficulties of recognising severe psychiatric illness. Because the case is subject to legal proceedings, it is important to separate allegations and legal arguments from established medical facts.

For anyone concerned about a new mother's mental state, particularly where there is severe confusion, psychosis, suicidal thinking or concern that someone may be harmed, seeking urgent professional help is essential.

Source

The Mirror , published on 26 August 2026.

Disclaimer

This blog is intended for general information and awareness only. It is not medical or psychiatric advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat postpartum psychosis, depression or any other mental health condition. The experiences described are individual accounts and do not represent every person's experience. Anyone experiencing severe mental health symptoms after childbirth should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If there is an immediate risk of harm to the mother, baby or anyone else, seek emergency assistance without delay.