What Is Postpartum Psychosis?
4. Causes
Postpartum psychosis is thought to be due to major biopsychosocial changes. It is most likely caused by multiple factors. Since it has an abrupt onset in the early postpartum stage, the most likely hypothesis is based on a strong biological component. In the early postpartum period, there is a significant drop in gonadal steroids.
One theory has proposed that some women are more susceptible to hormonal changes that occur during childbirth. Estrogen has an affect on serotonin, which impacts affective symptoms while dopamine involves psychotic symptoms. Another possible factor is sleep disruption as gonadal steroid levels affect circadian rhythms (sleep wake cycle). Sleep loss has also been proposed as one of the factors in susceptible postpartum women. Other potential factors include immune system dysregulation and autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.
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