Women's experience of postpartum psychotic episodes--analyses of narratives from the internet.
Inger Engqvist, Ginette G Ferszt, Arne Ahlin, Kerstin Nilsson
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing October 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2010.12.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Women's narratives of postpartum psychosis taken from the Internet |
| Key findings | Women's narratives of postpartum psychosis described unfulfilled dreams, being enveloped by darkness, disabling symptoms, and being abandoned. The authors argue these accounts point to the need for further education of nurses and doctors, including midwives and maternity and child welfare staff, to enable early recognition and treatment and to support recovery and more compassionate care. |
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gain an insight into women's experiences of postpartum psychosis (PPP). Ten narratives taken from the Internet, which met the definition of PPP, were analyzed using cross-case and content analyses. The results revealed women's experience of having unfulfilled dreams, being enveloped by darkness, having disabling symptoms, and being abandoned. The women's experiences point to the importance of further education of nurses and doctors concerning PPP. It is vital not only for those working in psychiatric health care but also midwives and nurses who are working in maternity wards and child welfare centers. This would facilitate early recognition of signs and symptoms of the disorder, which, in turn, would make early treatment possible, thus supporting recovery. Furthermore, greater knowledge could contribute to providing more effective and compassionate care for these women.