Bridget is a health coach, mother of two, and maternal mental health advocate. In this conversation, she shares her experience with undiagnosed postpartum psychosis following the birth of her second child in 2013, which unfolded during the early postpartum period while she was on maternity leave. Although she sought support and received treatment for postpartum anxiety and depression, the more severe symptoms—including paranoia, delusional thinking, and a disconnect from reality—were not recognized at the time as postpartum psychosis. Her experience eventually resolved without hospitalization, but left her with many questions.

It wasn’t until years later that Bridget learned there was a name for what she had experienced. Together, we discuss how difficult it can be to recognize postpartum psychosis with waxing and waning symptoms, the fear  ...