Postpartum psychosis is rare – occurring in 1-2 out of every 1,000 women who give birth – "but it is a life-threatening medical emergency. We know that when a woman has postpartum psychosis, the risk for suicide goes up to 5% while the risk for infanticide goes up to 4%. I’m often retained by defense counsel on cases of infanticide, neonaticide, and pregnancy denial. I have seen the extreme end of what happens when these illnesses are not properly treated."
In her clinical opinion, group therapy is particularly helpful to women with postpartum depression "because there is a sense of isolation that these women experience, the notion that ‘no one else feels like this’ or ‘I am the only one who’s going through this.’ Group therapy lessens that sense that they’re alone in their experience. There’s connection with others, which can be healing."
Dr. Barnes said she had no relevant financial conflicts to disclose.