Mom Breaks: Science and Stories of Postpartum Psychosis

In this episode, we speak with Polly and Frank, advocates who have turned profound loss into a commitment to raising awareness about postpartum mental illness. In 2018, their daughter Mary Jo, along with her husband and newborn daughter, died in a tragedy they have since come to understand as the result of postpartum psychosis.

Since then, Polly and Frank have spoken openly about the complexity and invisibility of severe postpartum illness, including how symptoms can be missed even in supportive, attentive families. Through their work with Postpartum Support International and their church community in St. Louis, they continue to advocate for earlier recognition, access to care, and treatment.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide, homicide, infanticide, and gun violence. If you are in a sensitive postpartum period or feeling emotionally vulnerable, you may want to listen at another time.

This conversation includes discussion of an uncommon and devastating outcome associated with postpartum psychosis. Research indicates that infanticide occurs in a very small minority of untreated cases. Most people who experience postpartum psychosis are not violent, and the condition is highly treatable, particularly with timely care and support.

Resources:

• Postpartum Support International - Get Help

Citations:

1. Alford, A. Y., Riggins, A. D., Chopak-Foss, J., Cowan, L. T., Nwaonumah, E. C., Oloyede, T. F., Sejoro, S. T., & Kutten, W. S. (2024, September 2). A systematic review of postpartum psychosis resulting in infanticide: Missed opportunities in screening, diagnosis, and treatment - archives of Women’s Mental Health. SpringerLink.
2. Evans, C., Kreppner, J., & Lawrence, P. J. (2022, June 28). The association between Maternal Perinatal Mental Health and perfectionism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The British journal of clinical psychology.
3. Pfeifer, S. (1994, September). Belief in demons and exorcism in psychiatric patients in Switzerland. PubMed.
4. Wittkowski, A. (2017, February 3). The relationship between postpartum depression and beliefs about motherhood and perfectionism during pregnancy - OpenAccessPub.

You heard Rowena’s story – now hear what it was like on the other side. In this episode, Derek shares his experience supporting his wife through postpartum psychosis, from the sudden onset of symptoms through a few hospital visits to get proper care. It’s a powerful, honest conversation about recognizing change, navigating the unknown, and showing up for the people we love.

We touch on the realities of recovery, antibiotics and mental health, the role of anger in depression, and the importance of support for the whole family.

Resources:

• Postpartum Psychosis: a guide for partners
• PSI Support Group - Family Members

Citations:

1. Aas, M., & Vecchio, C. (2020, March). Biological stress response in women at risk of postpartum psychosis: The role of life events and inflammation. Psychoneuroendocrinology.
2. Besharat, M., Nia, M., & Farahani, H. (2013, February). Anger and major depressive disorder: The mediating role of emotion regulation and anger rumination - sciencedirect.
3. Essali, N., & Miller, B. J. (2020, September 19). Psychosis as an adverse effect of antibiotics. Brain, behavior, & immunity - health.
4. Gilden, J., & Kamperman, A. (2025, October 3). Long-term outcomes of postpartum psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatrist.com.
5. Gudnadottir, U., Kamau, N., Fornes, R., Nguyen, M. H., Callens, S., Fransson, E., Engstrand, L., Bruyndonckx, R., & Brusselaers, N. (2024, August). Antibiotic or gastric acid inhibitor use during pregnancy and postpartum depression: Population-based Cohort Study. OBGYN Scandinavica.
6. Kraeuter, A.-K., Phillips, R., & Sarnyai, Z. (2020, August 10). The gut microbiome in psychosis from mice to men: A systematic review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Frontiers.
7. Rommel, A.-S., Molenaar, N. M., Gilden, J., Kushner, S. A., Westerbeek, N. J., Kamperman, A. M., & Bergink, V. (2021, October 28). Long-term outcome of postpartum psychosis: A prospective clinical cohort study in 106 women - international journal of bipolar disorders. SpringerLink.
8. Sahu, A., Gupta, P., & Chatterjee, B. (2014, January). Depression is more than just sadness: A case of excessive anger and its management in Depression. Indian journal of psychological medicine.

Steven D’Achille shares the story of losing his wife, Alexis, to postpartum psychosis just five weeks after the birth of their daughter. Despite multiple hospital visits and attempts to manage escalating symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression that progressed into psychosis, Alexis ultimately took her own life. Steven reflects on the unimaginable reality of navigating a rapidly unfolding mental health crisis, the warning signs he witnessed, and the profound impact the experience had on him and their family.

From that tragedy, Steven founded the Alexis Joy Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting mothers and families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. He shares the work the foundation has done over the past decade and reflects on his own path through grief, therapy, and rebuilding life after loss.

This conversation is both heartbreaking and hopeful; a reminder of the urgency of maternal mental health care, and a call to support one another, speak openly about postpartum struggles, and take action wherever we can.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening and choose the time and space that feels right for you.

Resources:

• The Alexis Joy Foundation - Donate
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-TLC-MAMA

Citations:

1. Howlander, N., Noone, A. M., & Krapcho, M. (2019). Seer Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2017. SEER.
2. Khan, A., & Brown, W. A. (2015, September 25). Antidepressants versus placebo in major depression: An overview. World Psychiatry.
3. Maternal and infant mortality: Health at a glance 2025 | OECD. OECD. (2025).
4. Patel, R., Reiss, P., Shetty, H., Broadbent, M., Stewart, R., McGuire, P., & Taylor, M. (2015, December 14). Do antidepressants increase the risk of mania and bipolar disorder in people with depression? A retrospective electronic case register cohort study. BMJ open.
5. Pigott, H. E., Kim, T., Xu, C., Kirsch, I., & Amsterdam, J. (2023, July 25). What are the treatment remission, response and extent of improvement rates after up to four trials of antidepressant therapies in real-world depressed patients? A reanalysis of the STAR*D study’s patient-level data with fidelity to the original research protocol. BMJ open.
6. Wang, Z., Liu, J., Shuai, H., Cai, Z., Fu, X., Liu, Y., Xiao, X., Zhang, W., Krabbendam, E., Liu, S., Liu, Z., Li, Z., & Yang, B. X. (2021, October 20). Mapping global prevalence of depression among postpartum women. Nature News.

Colin shares his experience as a partner navigating postpartum psychosis after the birth of his second child. He recounts getting punched twice in the face and wrestling on the kitchen floor, and later juggling communication with both of their workplaces and making it to each visitation opportunity. Through it all, Colin managed the acute crisis with remarkable foresight. He shares a raw, honest view of what it’s like on the partner side of such a crisis.

He reflects on therapy, processing anger and fear, and the work of growing from the experience both individually and as a couple. Colin also weighs in on a recent New York Times article about postpartum psychosis and the DSM, highlighting the need for better definitions, data, and support for families. A candid, grounded, and hopeful conversation for anyone navigating postpartum psychosis from the partner perspective.

Resources:

• New York State 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Citations:

1. Barry, E., & Belluck, P. (2026, January 20). Will ‘psychiatry’s Bible’ add a postpartum psychosis diagnosis? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/health/postpartum-psychosis-dsm-diagnosis.html
2. Gaskell, C., Simmonds-Buckley, M., Kellett, S., Stockton, C., Somerville, E., Rogerson, E., & Delgadillo, J. (2022, October 6). The effectiveness of psychological interventions delivered in routine practice: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Administration and policy in mental health.

In this episode, I’m joined by my spouse to share our experience with postpartum psychosis from his perspective. You’ll hear a soundbite from a recording on his phone—captured during a swirling conversation in the midst of the psychosis.

He reflects on the sleeplessness of that week—how exhaustion became the backdrop for everything—and how, at first, nothing registered as “wrong.” What unfolded didn’t immediately feel like a crisis. It was confusing, unfamiliar, and easy to rationalize. until it became clear that I might be a danger.

From there, he walks through how he navigated the acute crisis (white lies included) and seeking help beyond emergency services: letting family know what was happening in a single video call, leaning on conversations with his dad and close friends, and eventually turning to therapy to process all of it.

We also talk about what he wishes he’d known earlier—what can happen in the postpartum period, how quickly things can change, and why education for partners matters long before a crisis point.

Citations:

• Lyons, T., Hennesey, T., & Noonan, M. (2024). A systematic review of qualitative evidence: Perspectives of fathers whose partner experienced postpartum psychosis. Journal of advanced nursing, 80(2), 413–429.

In this episode I pause to reflect on what has emerged across this project — from interviews with clinicians and survivors, to my own ongoing recovery from postpartum psychosis.

Rather than introducing new research or new stories, this episode weaves together three perspectives:

• a look back at themes across conversations
• a look inward at how this work has shaped my understanding of my own experience
• and a look forward at partner perspectives and systems of care

We explore psychosis and meaning-making, why recovery often unfolds long after crisis care ends, and how uncertainty — even among experts — can be both grounding and humane. You'll hear reactions to my experience with psychosis from perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Catherine Birndorf, as well as survivor perspectives on spirituality from Dr. Rowena Winkler and Meghan Cliffel.

Citations:

• Hall, W., & Degenhardt, L. (2008, June 7). Cannabis use and the risk of developing a psychotic disorder. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA).
• International Consortium of Women’s mental health experts present scientific evidence to support classification of postpartum psychosis as a distinct disease. Mount Sinai Health System. (2025, October 22).
• Kovess-Masfety , V. (2018, February 16). Psychotic experiences and religiosity: Data from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica.
• Mota-Rojas, D., Orihuela, A., Strappini, A., Villanueva-García, D., Napolitano, F., Mora-Medina, P., Barrios-García, H. B., Herrera, Y., Lavalle, E., & Martínez-Burnes, J. (2020, December 15). Consumption of maternal placenta in humans and nonhuman mammals: Beneficial and adverse effects. MDPI.
• Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2018). Postpartum psychosis for carers.
• Valdimarsdóttir, U., Hultman, C. M., Harlow, B., Cnattingius, S., & Sparén, P. (2009, February 10). Psychotic illness in first-time mothers with no previous psychiatric hospitalizations: A population-based study. PLOS Medicine.
• Westhead, M., & Georgiades, A. (2025, July 3). The role of spirituality and religiosity in the maintenance and recovery of psychosis: A systematic review. Early intervention in psychiatry.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Brooke Laufer, a clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal and reproductive mental health, including postpartum psychosis, perinatal trauma, infant loss, and maternal filicide. She provides therapy, consultation, and expert guidance to clinicians, attorneys, and medical professionals. Dr. Laufer is the author of the qualitative research paper It Shows You Your Fears, which explores the inner experience of postpartum psychosis, and has written extensively on maternal infanticide and filicide. She has also participated in advocacy efforts to include postpartum psychosis in the DSM.

In our conversation, we explore how we can make sense of these experiences, why certain themes—like religiosity—can emerge in psychotic content, and what the recovery journey can look like, from acute stabilization to long-term processing and growth.

Trigger warning: We discuss criminal cases Dr. Laufer has served as an expert witness for, including one where a baby drowned as part of a delusional ‘baptism.’

Resources:

• Dr. Brooke Laufer’s Website
• Book: Uncovering the Act of Maternal Infanticide from a Psychological, Political, and Jungian Perspective
• Dark Mother Groups & Workshops

Citations:

1. Kleiman, K., & Waller, H. (2023, March 2). The art of holding perinatal women in Distress. Women’s health reports.
2. Laufer, B., & Mun, N. (2025, April 21). “It shows you your fears”: A qualitative analysis and psychoanalytic interpretation of the psychotic content of postpartum psychosis Psychosis: Vol 17 , no 3 - get access. Taylor & Francis.
3. Westhead, M., & Georgiades, A. (2025, July 3). The role of spirituality and religiosity in the maintenance and recovery of psychosis: A systematic review. Early intervention in psychiatry.

In our first partner perspective episode, we sit down with Meghan and Colin to hear their joint experience with postpartum psychosis, which emerged eight months after the birth of their second child. Living and working in New York City, far from family support, they were blindsided by Meghan’s sudden psychotic behavior. Colin reflects on protecting their kids while navigating Meghan’s urges to get onto the apartment roof—and weighing the potential repercussions of calling emergency services. Meghan shares the challenges of being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and only learning about postpartum psychosis after connecting with a reproductive psychiatrist after discharge.

Together, they reflect on the decision to have another child and the ways the experience reshaped their personal and professional lives. They discuss the realities of long-term recovery, gaps in maternal health care, and the lasting impacts on relationships, parenting, and life priorities.

Trigger Warning: This conversation includes mentions of suicidal delusions, a family member's suicide, and some language.

Resources:

• I love you just the way you are - Meghan’s Newsletter
• PSI Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory
• Postpartum Psychosis Support Group - PSI
• Postpartum Planning Resource

Citations:

1. Gilden, J., Kamperman, A., Munk-Olsen, T., Kushner, S., & Bergink, V. (2020, March 10). Long-term outcomes of postpartum psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.
2. Rommel, A.-S., Molenaar, N. M., Gilden, J., Kushner, S. A., Westerbeek, N. J., Kamperman, A. M., & Bergink, V. (2021, October 28). Long-term outcome of postpartum psychosis: A prospective clinical cohort study in 106 women - international journal of bipolar disorders. SpringerLink.
3. Wesseloo , R., Kamperman, A. M., Munk-Olsen, T., Pop , V., Kushner, S., & Bergink, V. (2015, October 15). Risk of postpartum relapse in bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of psychiatry.

Dr. Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD, a leading expert in perinatal psychiatry, shares how she began studying postpartum psychosis. She shares insights from her landmark cohort study and other work, discussing sleep disruption, immune and hormonal changes, and thyroid dysfunction as factors in postpartum psychosis. She also shares unanswered questions about psychosis and bipolar, including risk factors, biological triggers, and long-term outcomes including risks around menopause.

We discuss ideal care scenarios, the importance of specialized perinatal psychiatric care, and how supporting a parent’s mental health is central to family well-being. Dr. Bergink emphasizes the need to GET LOUD about awareness, research, and advocacy around postpartum psychosis.

Resources:

• Make Postpartum Psychosis a Distinct Disorder in the DSM, Expert Panel Says
• Fussy Baby Network - 888-431-BABY
• MotherToBaby - 866-626-6847
• National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Drugs

Citations:

1. Bergink, V., Akbarian, S., Byatt, N., Thippeswamy, H., Vigod, S., & Payne, J. (2025, October 2). Postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder: Review of Neurobiology and expert consensus statement on classification. - biological psychiatry. Biological Psychiatry.
2. Gordon-Smith, K., Perry, A., Florio, A. D., Craddock, N., Jones, I., & Jones, L. (2024, November 14). Associations between lifetime reproductive events among postmenopausal women with bipolar disorder - archives of Women’s Mental Health. SpringerLink.
3. Johnson, K. (2025, October 31). Make postpartum psychosis a distinct disorder, experts say. Medscape.
4. Valdimarsdóttir, U., Hultman, C. M., Harlow, B., Cnattingius, S., & Sparén, P. (2009, February 10). Psychotic illness in first-time mothers with no previous psychiatric hospitalizations: A population-based study. PLOS Medicine.

Writer and advocate Aaisha Alvi, a postpartum psychosis survivor based in Canada, shares her two experiences with PPP — first completely missed after the birth of her daughter, and later only diagnosed after seeing six different providers following a miscarriage.

Her memoir, A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis, offers a raw look into her delusions and the barriers that often delay diagnosis and treatment, especially for women of color. She volunteers and speaks widely about why PPP must be treated as the medical emergency it is - and never be referred to as ‘rare.’

Trigger warning: We discuss intrusive thoughts of harm to her baby and suicidal ideation.

Resources:

• A Mom Like That: A Memoir on Postpartum Psychosis
  • Google Books Preview
• Instagram - @aaishaalviwrites

Citations:

1. Accortt, E. et al (2023, March 19). Association between diagnosed perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and adverse perinatal outcomes. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine
2. Bonham, V. L. (2021, January 1). Race, ethnicity, and pain treatment: Striving to understand the causes and solutions to the disparities in pain treatment: Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. Cambridge Core.
3. Farr, S. L et al (2020, September 3). Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women. Journal of women’s health.
4. Fekih-Romdhane, F. et al (2024, August 29). Relationship between childhood trauma and postpartum psychotic experiences: The role of postnatal anxiety and depression as mediators. BMC psychiatry.
5. McGuire, D. et al (2019, June 14). Prevalence of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, hearing loss, and Blindness 2009-2016. Disability and health journal.
6. Yilanli, M. (2018, September 1). Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi and the first psychiatric ward | American Journal of Psychiatry. Psychiatry Online.