258: Postpartum Psychosis with Michele Davidson, PhD, CNM, PMHNP-BC, PMH-BC, SANE, RN

Postpartum psychosis is a topic we have highlighted on the podcast before, but the need for more information about this devastating condition always increases when it is mentioned in a tragic news story. There are so many questions and concerns when this condition turns up in the national spotlight because many people don’t understand what a mother might be going through as a result of postpartum psychosis. Regardless of the details around a specific situation, it is clear that factual information and education are needed more than ever around perinatal mental health. Join us for a closer look with today’s guest. **Trigger warning: I want to give a heads up that our discussion does include the topic of infanticide, so please determine for yourself if you are able to listen to this episode if this is a sensitive subject for you.  Michele Davidson is a fellow board member with me at Postpartum Support International; she has multiple degrees and has been a certified nurse-midwife for almost 30 years, delivering more than 1000 babies in her career. After her personal battle with postpartum psychosis, she became a PMHNP with a specialization and certification in perinatal mental health to help other families who are suffering from this disorder. Dr. Davidson served as an associate professor of nursing at George Mason University and helped develop the certificate in forensic nursing. She was also the coordinator of the Ph.D. program, during which time her research focused on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She co-developed the Davidson Conceptual Model of Prodromal Postpartum Psychosis Symptomatology, which has been used in reproductive psychiatry practice. She is the author of over 35 textbooks and 50 peer-reviewed articles, including the Nurse’s Guide to Women’s Mental Health, which was awarded the American Journal of Nursing Book Award, and Old’s Maternal Newborn Nursing, which is published in 12 languages. On the current PSI Board of Directors, she serves as the Infanticide Coordinator and was the previous PPP Coordinator for 12 years. She resides with her husband in coastal Virginia and has four children and is the owner and founder of Chesapeake Bay Psychiatry, which specializes in perinatal mental health and serves families in VA, MD, and CT.  Show Highlights: A basic explanation of postpartum psychosis (PPP), which is just one of the conditions under the umbrella of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (along with depression, anxiety, and OCD) What the main risk factors are for PPP Why PPP is different from postpartum depression and has a very different presentation What the most common symptoms are of PPP, most of which are auditory or visual What it might look/sound like if a loved one is battling PPP What the statistics show about people with PPP relating to suicide and infanticide How and when psychosis might occur, both during pregnancy or the postpartum The connection between PPP symptoms and continual lack of sleep What it might feel like to experience the beginning stages of PPP How PPP symptoms can wax and wane–and how this characteristic plays out in the legal system and the stigma of PPP How PPP played out in Michele’s life as evidence that it CAN happen to anyone, even without the common risk factors Why early intervention, perinatal specialists, and other support resources are vitally important Why it is important to not stop taking medications for mood and anxiety disorders Highlights of helpful resources for perinatal mental health Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day is May 5! Wear purple to show your support! Resources: Connect with Dr. Davidson: Website Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! I’d love to hear from you! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!