Postpartum Psychosis – Emily’s Story, Early Warning Signs, Misdiagnosis, and How to Support New Mothers

Postpartum psychosis is rare—but when it happens, it is a medical emergency that far too many families don’t recognize until crisis hits.

In this powerful episode of Doing It All(ish), we sit down with Emily, a mom of two, to share her firsthand experience with postpartum psychosis after the birth of her first daughter. With no prior mental health history or risk factors, Emily walks us through the subtle early warning signs, rapid escalation, ER admission, involuntary commitment, misdiagnosis, and the critical role family advocacy played in her survival and recovery.

We discuss:

• What postpartum psychosis actually is (and how it differs from postpartum depression and anxiety)
  
  
• Early warning signs partners and families should never ignore
  
  
• How sleep deprivation and hormonal shifts can trigger a break from reality
  
  
• Why postpartum psychosis is often misdiagnosed
  
  
• What happens during involuntary psychiatric hospitalization
  
  
• The importance of perinatal-specific mental health care
  
  
• How loved ones can support someone experiencing postpartum psychosis
  
  
• Why sharing these stories can save lives
  
  

If you are pregnant, postpartum, supporting a new mother, or simply want to better understand maternal mental health, this episode is essential listening.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone—and help is available. Find more resources online with your local Postpartum Support International Chapter (PSI).

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