Postpartum Psychosis: Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-5 Revision Updates

Women are more likely to experience psychosis during the period following childbirth than at any other time in their lives. Postpartum psychosis appears to be a heterogeneous group of mood and psychotic disorders. These disorders have in common the emergence of psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations in the first weeks postpartum, although some women may present several months later, usually with psychotic depression. The onset of psychosis during the postpartum period constitutes a medical emergency. Women with postpartum psychosis are more likely to commit suicide or infanticide than the general population. Acute management emphasizes hospitalization to ensure safety, mobilizing the family to ensure care of the newborn, antipsychotic medication, and treatment of the underlying disorder. This article focuses on Diagnostic Statistical Mannual of Mental Disorde-5 Revision (DSM-5) update and major clinical issues regarding postpartum psychosis.

Keywords: Postpartum, Psychosis, Peripartum, Depression, Bipolar disorder, Onset.