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    "result": {"data":{"sanityArticle":{"title":"Postnatal Psychosis: Care and treatment options","_type":"article","datePublished":"14 February 2022","header":{"background":null,"headline":"Postnatal Psychosis: Care and treatment options","text":[{"_key":"91370a602d71","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"20428e2fdea40","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Postnatal psychosis is a medical emergency. Recovery starts with early intervention and professional treatment."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-ba1b31055729baa15da53b8f6fcaf0d581d4c10b-2500x1696-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":null}},"content":[{"_key":"cb2e48d321a6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ea60fe2da59b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Postnatal psychosis is a serious and complex mental health condition. Specialist treatment and care is essential."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0db2c72f8a5a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9ffafde87dc5","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"During the very early stages of postnatal psychosis, a woman will normally be admitted to hospital where she will start treatment, including medication. The length of time a woman remains in hospital and which medication is prescribed varies depending on her personal treatment needs."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5a59b7d1e5a9","_type":"quote","quote":"I am so thankful that I got to a hospital when I did as this is such a serious condition."},{"_key":"5327ebf0a0a4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5fcd7f089ed60","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When she’s well enough to return home, significant ongoing support and care is needed to ensure she remains well and can care for her baby."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"25722d9fc1fe","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9ce3144a2af4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Health professionals, partners and key support people all have an important role to play during the recovery process."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"sidebarTitle":"Helpful Information","sidebarPosts":[{"title":"Clare's story","_type":"story","slug":{"current":"clares-story"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-0bfaecea354d5a8edc3bd5733725ef1beb25ccfa-720x733-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":null},"text":[{"_key":"3ffd8604716c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4a62995f2374","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A journey of postnatal psychosis and finding the support to feel well again."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}}],"modules":[{"_key":"26043de7783b","_type":"faqBlock","include":null,"title":"More information on care and treatment","noNumbers":true,"text":null,"questions":[{"question":[{"_key":"623b77951000","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6bc007d778bd","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Hospital"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"answer":[{"_key":"dcc345fb3fe4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"358fc21445980","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Some hospitals have a special psychiatric ward where the baby can stay with the mum (a Mother and Baby Unit), but this is not always possible. Access to a mother baby unit may depend on where a woman lives as there are limited numbers of mother baby units across Australia."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0b81ea042663","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5e55a25a9da90","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Whilst it is always a priority for a baby to be kept with its mother, in many cases a woman will need to stay, at least initially, in an adult general psychiatric ward. If this is the case, the baby will need to be cared for by her partner or another support person. The length of time she can expect to stay in hospital will depend on how quickly she responds to treatment and has the confidence and ability to return home and care for her baby."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"question":[{"_key":"2185faf9634d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ffd056f70458","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Medication"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"answer":[{"_key":"229763f829d8","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c4ab6e7e7bf90","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Treating postnatal psychosis effectively will always require some form of medication. However, the type and combination of medication that is taken will vary between individual women so a psychiatrist, preferably one specialising in perinatal mental health, will always need to be consulted."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b3b0bc7a64d0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"545583a95b6b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"It may also take some time to figure out the right dosage(s) and combination of medications as everyone responds differently. Likewise, the length of time a woman will need to stay on medication will vary."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"737acaf2fc26","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"87972a5151990","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The different types of medications typically used in the treatment of postnatal psychosis include mood stabilisers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. For more information about these medications we recommend you speak to a psychiatrist."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"question":[{"_key":"d5889d04d52a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"138279d710eb","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Counselling"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"answer":[{"_key":"42037dcd9fed","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"130ce75a9c690","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Counselling can be useful if a woman feels ready to speak about how she is feeling. Many women find it beneficial having the opportunity to explore their experience of postnatal psychosis and any ongoing impact of this experience with a trained counselling professional."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"8039fd1cbc4d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f248d1e5a52b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In counselling, feelings and beliefs can be explored and supported. Women can also learn strategies to help manage distress during difficult times. Your GP or mental health provider can make a referral and work closely with other health professionals, such as a psychologist."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"59e42f44a42a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"06a2041a3c1b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The PANDA National Helpline is free and confidential and can also put you in touch with counsellors experienced in providing support to people who have experienced postnatal psychosis."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},{"question":[{"_key":"5f4259b9a1dd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f4e7e9b4e0d8","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"answer":[{"_key":"15deae356cde","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7790eda0122c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In some cases, severe symptoms of postnatal psychosis will persist despite the use of medication. If this is the case, or if the illness is particularly severe, a psychiatrist may recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1c5bfc7db672","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a82704c1abb0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"This treatment is only used in a hospital setting under close monitoring. There’s lots of misinformation about ECT, so "},{"_key":"7790eda0122c1","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"beyond blue"},{"_key":"7790eda0122c2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" have put together some information to help people make a decision about their own treatment, or that of a partner or loved one."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5cfcdeb5f44d","_type":"button","link":{"_type":"link","blank":true,"linkType":"external","url":"https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/treatments-for-depression/medical-treatments-for-depression/electroconvulsive-therapy-ect"},"style":"box","text":"Beyond Blue - ECT"}]}]},{"_key":"d0102e8d57a5","_type":"helpLine","include":null}],"relatedArticles":[{"title":"Postnatal Psychosis: Signs and symptoms ","_type":"article","slug":{"current":"postnatal-psychosis-signs-and-symptoms"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-a254445c05703a6cc0a079cacac9c7c7cde84f8c-2500x1800-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":null},"text":[{"_key":"26e81a17982f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"82541f3edcd20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Postnatal psychosis is a serious condition. Hope for recovery is strong with early intervention and professional treatment."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}},{"title":"Wellbeing and self care","_type":"article","slug":{"current":"wellbeing-and-self-care"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-31544bad9e7c38876638fe53c51e77cf89d91356-2500x1800-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":"Mum holding baby up and kissing on the cheek"},"text":[{"_key":"6a7cc988da75","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a6fceda6aee2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Self-care tips for expecting and new parents"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}},{"title":"Postnatal Psychosis: Getting help","_type":"article","slug":{"current":"postnatal-psychosis-getting-help"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-7065493e6fbcb3f89f4faa028852afccc0f6d9cf-5001x5001-png"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":"Mum and baby at doctors clinic"},"text":[{"_key":"05fc66f50c5b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cbf5ada40fdc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Postnatal psychosis is a serious condition – but professional help is available"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}}],"showFeedbackForm":true,"seo":{"metaTitle":null,"metaDescription":"Postnatal psychosis is a medical emergency. 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