Warning Signs (Postpartum Psychosis Part 6)
I’ve decided this will be the wrap-up post for my series on postpartum psychosis. If you’re just joining in, please read parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The following are “red flags” I sent up the couple of weeks preceding my hospitalization.
1. Sleeplessness. I’m not talking about being woken up by the baby throughout the night. I’m talking about consciously choosing to NOT sleep and choosing to do something else, rather than sleep. I would feed my baby in the middle of the night, and instead of going to sleep like most moms would do, I chose to spend the next 2 hours journaling or praying. I had no desire to sleep whatsoever.
2. Out of character behavior. I smoked a cigarette and then went inside to brag about it to my family. Very strange, considering I had never been a smoker, and absolutely did not like cigarettes.
3. An elevated sex drive. Any woman who pursues sex within the first 2 weeks of delivering a baby, is more than likely having issues. This is just not normal.
4. Super-spiritual. Most moms are doing good if they are able to feed their baby, sleep, and take a shower. I was praying non-stop, singing praise songs, and journaling about my spiritual journey.
5. Excessive talking. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. My mind was racing 100 miles per hour and I talked at about the same rate.
6. An inflated sense of self. An over abundance of confidence. I felt like a diva mom and even referred to myself in that way. I had just delivered a baby and was wearing clothes that were way too revealing for my post-delivery body. I thought I looked great, and had never looked better.
Here are some resources for those of you looking for more information:
UNC-Chapel Hill is doing an amazing job at researching and helping women suffering from postpartum mood disorders. I would advise any woman experiencing major symptoms to seek out help from these doctors.
Postpartum Support International: Search for support in your area via this website.
Thank you, all, for sticking with me through this journey. I have received great encouragement from many of you and am so thankful I’ve had the opportunity to share my story. I hope that my story will be a source of hope for those of you who can’t see the light right now. It is there, and you will move past this darkness.
Once again, if any of you have questions, I would be more than happy to answer them to the best of my ability. You can either leave me a comment, or reach me via email at lyrahlee (at) yahoo (dot) com.
10 comments
This is going to sound cheesy but I am so honored to call you my friend! You are an amazing woman and your family is so blessed to have you! I can’t wait to see pictures of your new little one.
Awww, thanks, Hannah! That’s so sweet. I can’t wait to meet our new little one! You can be sure I will post plenty of pictures, and, they’ll be good ones b/c our friend Mandy is going to take pics for us!
Wow, Lyra. I just read these posts. Thanks for sharing your story. What a difficult journey….
When is baby #3 due? We’ll be on campus May 12-19. I’m sure I’ll see you there.
Hey, Claudia! Thanks for reading. Baby #3 is due May 30th, but, of course, I’m hoping for sooner. We have to be out of our apt. by June 30th, so having the baby a little early would be nice. It’ll be good to see you around campus again. Stop in and visit for a while. I’d love to catch up!
Just writing to see if symptoms I describe below are comparable to anything you have experienced. My wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in february. The first week from hospital uneventful. Second week she began to isolate herself from everyone except her mom. We have a 10 yoa son and she even would isolate herself from him. Everytime I tried to help she would say no leave me alone I got it. After a week of this I made the mistake of asking what is wrong? What have I done? I am tired of being a stranger? She proceeded to walk out and move in with her mom 2 weeks after coming home from hospital. She is fixated upon my Diabetes that I will have a reaction and hurt our son, she even said she did not trust me with our infant son, but she lets our 10 yoa spend the night away from her with me? She is not sleeping much, has mood swings from good to bad at the drop of a hat. She is fixated on our infant son as if he is the only thing on earth and is paranoid to the extreme about something bad is going to happen. She cries at the drop of a hat. She is neglecting herself and only drinks juice and seldom eats because she does not know what the food has in it? Her mother realizes there is a problem but won’t do anything as far as medical care, because she wants my wife and son to be with her so she can care for them. I have been seeing a counselor that states there is a great chance that due to my wifes postpartum depression and some psychosis there is a great chance she will harm herself and our son? The counselor wants my wife to come see her to discus and evaluate what is going on. My wife had been under medical care for depression and post partum for our 10 yoa son, but it was nothing like this? HOW DO I GET HER TO GO TO DOC? I NEED HELP!!!
Hi, Chuck. I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. Based on what you’ve told me, I would completely agree that she is suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis. I think you may have a case for having her admitted to a hospital involuntarily. I urge you to contact your local mental health facility and ask them what steps you can take to have her hospitalized for treatment. They should be able to tell you if you have a case for doing this and how to go about it. UNC Chapel Hill’s website has some great info on depression and psychosis. Here is the link: http://www.med.unc.edu/psych/wmd/patient-care/perinatal-inpatient-unit
I think your counselor is right in being worried over this b/c anytime someone is presenting signs of psychosis treatment is essential and needs to take place quickly.
Lyra… I absolutely had no idea you have been through thi journey. You are such a testimony. Everything God does has a purpose… we never know at the time what that is or why… but He ALWAYS uses it for good. I can’t imagine the numerous people you will help through this… you need to have this blog published… it is just AMAZING!
Hey, Wagner! Thanks for reading. And, for the encouragement. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they had no idea I’d been through this. I didn’t realize so many people didn’t know. I’m glad in some ways b/c I never wanted this to define me as a person. I don’t want people to think of this first thing, when they think of me. But, I’m also glad to have the opportunity to share my story b/c I think it needs to be told. Thanks, again, for reading!!!
Wow,, I just read your story and it is amazing. I’ve never experienced ppd or ppp, but I’ve been reading some stories lately and it sounds very scary. I’m so glad you are doing well now. I have definately been enlightened to how scary this is for the mom that is going through it. Thank you for sharing,, I think more people should be aware and attentive of postpartum moms because it is definately a stressfull time with hormone changes and lack of sleep which could easily spiral out of control.
Lyra, I know how difficult it was for you because my wife also developed PPP after our 2nd child back in 2004. I really believed we had lost her, no one had answers and many times I felt I was loosing it too. She has been on several medications and experienced multiple side effects but currently she is taking Effexor and Abilfy. I thank God she is doing well but it kills me to hear her say “How did I get this ugly” because she has gained so much weight. I encourage her as much as possible, take her to the Gym at least 3 times a week, follow a strict diet but nothing. I really believe the meds are the cause. We have an appointment with our Dr. this week to see if he can help. Lyra, I have read several stories of women who are back to their normal life, but not sure if normal means with meds!
In any event, I am happy for you and thank you for sharing your story.
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