Mom Breaks: Science and Stories of Postpartum Psychosis

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 caring for the baby. Dr. Bergink emphasizes the need to...

Duration: 01:15:08

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.’

Trig...

Duration: 01:16:05

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Catherine Birndorf, reproductive psychiatrist and Founder & Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York, to talk about postpartum psychosis, the challenges in perinatal mental health care, and what it takes to build meaningful support for women and families.

Dr. Birndorf shares:

The clinical realities of postpartum psychosis — how it presents, how it’s distinguished from mood and anxiety disorders, and why rapid treatment mattersThe relationship between postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorderThe default treatment approaches, including hospitalization and medicationWhy developing a partial hospitalization program in the U.S. is so d...

Duration: 00:45:32

Jigyna shares her powerful personal journey through perinatal mental health challenges. She is a South Asian mom of three, maternal mental health advocate, and support group facilitator with PSI, Group Peer Support, and The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.

From fertility struggles and PCOS to a traumatic first birth, and from postpartum depression and anxiety to undiagnosed postpartum psychosis marked by violent visions, dancing knives, and seeing in black and white, Jigyna’s story is both harrowing and inspiring. She also reflects on a later surprise twin pregnancy and the impact of cultural stigma within her So...

Duration: 00:59:32

Jigyna shares her powerful personal journey through perinatal mental health challenges. She is a South Asian mom of three, maternal mental health advocate, and support group facilitator with PSI, Group Peer Support, and The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.

From fertility struggles and PCOS to a traumatic first birth, and from postpartum depression and anxiety to undiagnosed postpartum psychosis marked by violent visions, dancing knives, and seeing in black and white, Jigyna’s story is both harrowing and inspiring. She also reflects on a later surprise twin pregnancy and the impact of cultural stigma within her So...

Duration: 00:59:32

In this episode, Sarah - a nurse, mom, and mental health advocate - takes us inside her whirlwind journey through postpartum psychosis. From a premature birth and NICU stay to walking into her own workplace in the grips of psychosis and professing her love to her once boss, Sarah shares the moments that shocked her and those around her.

She uses a tornado as a metaphor for the chaos of postpartum psychosis, reflects on her bipolar diagnosis, and wonders about the connection between thyroid health and mental health. Most importantly, Sarah shows how recovery is possible and...

Duration: 01:14:10

In this episode, we meet Katrina — a twin mum, former teacher, and maternal mental health advocate from Sydney, Australia. Her twins were born prematurely at 33 weeks and spent time in the NICU. After delivery, Katrina experienced postpartum psychosis, leading to a month-long hospital stay.

We talk about her experience navigating hospital and legal systems, and how factors like twin pregnancies, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and sleep deprivation can influence perinatal mental health. Katrina reflects on recovery beyond hospitalization — parenting twins, rediscovering herself, and finding purpose through advocacy and community work. She now facilitates support groups, organizes fundraising events, and...

Duration: 01:03:45

Megan, a mom of two from northeast England, experienced postpartum psychosis after the birth of her first baby. She navigated pregnancy during the pandemic, had a long labor followed by an emergency procedure, and experienced a gradual curve of psychosis over eight weeks. Despite raising concerns with her care team, her symptoms weren’t treated properly until she was quite unwell.

Megan describes her experience in a mother-baby unit and a general psychiatric ward, and how those different environments shaped her recovery. We reflect on how COVID may have influenced her journey, why religion surfaced in her de...

Duration: 00:56:32

In this episode, we hear from Kendra, a patient care technician, first-time mom, and psychosis survivor. Kendra shares her experience with a psychotic break during her pregnancy in 2022 - involving a cross-country drive, psychiatric hospitalization, and the challenges of navigating motherhood with limited support. She also offers advice for other survivors - your psychosis is one moment in your life, and it doesn’t define you.

We discuss:

The role of social support during pregnancy, postpartum, and psychiatric crisesVoluntary vs. involuntary psychiatric admissionMandatory reporting and CPS involvement in perinatal mental health situationsHow childhood adversity can influence me...

Duration: 01:08:55

In this episode we talk with Dr. Rowena Winkler, a postpartum psychosis survivor, PhD in Communication, and advocate for maternal mental health. Rowena shares her experiences with psychosis as a college student and a second-time mom, offering insight into the early signs, triggers, and recovery process. We cover the impact of trauma on mental health, the relationship between sleep and psychosis, and the phases of psychosis. Rowena also shares how she has leaned on her creative side to process, including blog posts, journaling, and a monologue about her experiences.

This conversation is honest, energizing, and informative. Rowena...

Duration: 01:10:08

Christina experienced postpartum psychosis after the birth of her second baby. In this episode, she shares her story — from a birth complicated by preeclampsia and a NICU stay, to the onset of symptoms like sleeplessness, confusion, delusions, and a disconnect from reality. Christina talks about the challenges of seeking help, her initial experiences at her local emergency room, and ultimately, the specialized care she received in a perinatal psychiatric unit at UNC.

She also reflects on writing about her journey through her blog, and offers advice for others navigating postpartum psychosis or supporting someone who is.

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Duration: 00:52:30

In this episode, Trisha shares her raw and powerful experience surviving postpartum psychosis. She describes her second pregnancy when she was diagnosed with bipolar, a traumatic birth experience involving induction, and then the development of postpartum psychosis with her third baby. We talk misconceptions of postpartum psychosis from media portrayals, the onset of her symptoms during labor, and the lasting impact on her life, custody of her children, and marriage. She reflects on the stigma around postpartum psychosis, the difficult intersection of medication and pregnancy, and the role of both psychiatry and therapy in her recovery journey.

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Duration: 00:48:31

Welcome to the very first full episode of Mom Breaks! 🎙️

In this episode, I share my personal "why" for starting this podcast - a journey shaped by surviving postpartum psychosis, navigating recovery, and finding meaning in advocacy. I’ll also talk about the broader why behind Mom Breaks: creating space for education, healing, and awareness around postpartum psychosis.

You’ll hear about:

My background in cognitive neuroscience, grad school, and motherhoodMy experience with postpartum psychosis, from onset to hospitalization to recoveryHow accessing my medical records and diving into research helped me healWhy this podcast matters f...

Duration: 00:37:56

Trailer for Mom Breaks - a podcast on postpartum psychosis.

Duration: 00:02:36