What Happens in Postpartum Psychosis and Who’s at Risk

In the first two weeks after giving birth, it’s common for people to experience “baby blues,” or a shift in their mood. They may feel anxious, have trouble sleeping, cry a lot, or have other big emotions.

For 1 in 7 birthing parents, these feelings extend past the first few weeks, which means they may be experiencing postpartum anxiety or depression. Even fewer may have a more severe mental health concern called postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis is relatively rare. It occurs in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 births, or about 0.1-0.2%, according to Postpartum Support International (PSI). But it’s important to be aware of, since it's considered a mental health emergency.