Postpartum Psychosis: International Experts Seek to Save Lives of Mothers, Babies

Postpartum Psychosis: International Experts Advocate for Reclassification

An international team of leading women’s mental health specialists urges recognizing postpartum psychosis as a separate mental illness category. Jennifer Payne, MD, from UVA Health, is the senior author of a consensus statement recommending this change to enhance care for new mothers.

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a serious psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 2.6 out of every 1,000 women after childbirth. Symptoms may include:

If untreated, the condition can lead to devastating outcomes, including suicide or harm to the baby. It is considered a psychiatric emergency often necessitating hospitalization.

Current Classification Issues

Despite its rapid onset and distinct symptoms making it one of the most identifiable mental illnesses in women, postpartum psychosis is not yet recognized in two primary medical frameworks:

“Changing that will improve treatment for postpartum psychosis and ultimately save lives of both mothers and infants.” – Jennifer Payne, MD

Reclassifying postpartum psychosis as its own category could lead to better treatment outcomes and crucially reduce risks for mothers and their babies.

Author’s Summary

The reclassification of postpartum psychosis is essential to ensure timely diagnosis, improve care, and save the lives of mothers and newborns.

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UVA Health Newsroom UVA Health Newsroom — 2025-11-04

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