What is postpartum psychosis?

TL;DR

Meghan Cliffel experienced postpartum psychosis after the birth of her second child, describing delusions and hallucinations.
Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency with extreme symptoms, distinct from postpartum depression.
Suicide is a major mortality risk for those with postpartum psychosis, while infanticide is extremely rare.
The trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children while diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, ended in a mistrial due to jury deadlock on her legal sanity.
Postpartum psychosis affects an estimated 1-2 per 1,000 births in the U.S., yet research and funding are limited.
Despite historical understanding, there is a lack of research on prevention, though treatment can lead to recovery within weeks for most patients.
Experts advocate for the legal system to better handle postpartum psychosis cases, moving them towards mental health treatment rather than murder trials.
With preventative medication, Meghan Cliffel successfully had a third child and experienced increased joy.

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