In this episode we sit down with Dr. Rowena Winkler, a postpartum psychosis survivor, PhD in Communication, and advocate for maternal mental health. Rowena shares her experiences with psychosis both as a college student and as a second-time mom, offering insight into the early signs, triggers, and recovery process. We cover the impact of childhood trauma on mental health, the relationship between sleep deprivation and psychosis, and the phases of psychosis in young adults. Rowena also shares how she has leaned on her creative side to process, including blog posts, journaling, and a monologue about her experience with postpartum psychosis.

This conversation is honest, energizing, and informative. Rowena reminds us that help is available and no one has to navigate mental health challenges alone.

For more of Rowena’s reflections, check out her blog, Letters from My Postpartum Psychosis.

Trigger warning: We discuss symptoms of postpartum psychosis, including paranoia of being shot at and dying.

Resources:

• Rowena’s coaching services
• Rowena’s Ted Talk
• Text-to-911 Services

Citations:

1. Fekih-Romdhane, F., El Hadathy, D., Malaeb, D., Barakat, H., & Hallit, S. (2024, August 29). Relationship between childhood trauma and postpartum psychotic experiences: The role of postnatal anxiety and depression as mediators. BMC psychiatry. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11360526/
2. Osborne, L. M. (2019, September 1). Recognizing and managing postpartum psychosis: A clinical guide for Obstetric Providers. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6174883/
3. Perry, A., & Gordon-Smith, K. (2024, February 1). Perinatal sleep disruption and postpartum psychosis in bipolar disorder: Findings from the UK BDRN pregnancy study. Journal of affective disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37940050/
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Understanding psychosis. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis
5. Understanding child trauma - what is childhood trauma?. SAMHSA. (2018, May 8). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence/child-trauma
6. What is psychosis. Yale School of Medicine. (n.d.). https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/step/psychosis/

Christina experienced postpartum psychosis after the birth of her second baby. In this episode, she shares her story — from a birth complicated by preeclampsia and a NICU stay, to the onset of symptoms like sleeplessness, confusion, delusions, and a disconnect from reality. Christina talks about the challenges of seeking help, her initial experiences at her local emergency room, and ultimately, the specialized care she received in a perinatal psychiatric unit at UNC.

She also reflects on writing about her journey through her blog, and offers advice for others navigating postpartum psychosis or supporting someone who is.

Trigger warning: This conversation touches on Lindsay Clancy’s case involving infanticide and attempted suicide. We also discuss symptoms of psychosis and the struggles of fellow psych ward patients, including suicidal ideation.

Resources:

• Christina’s Blog
• Journaling Protocol
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-TLC-MAMA

Citations:

1. Caropreso, L., Cardoso, T. de A., Eltayebani, M., & Frey, B. N. (2019, December 4). Preeclampsia as a risk factor for postpartum depression and psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis - archives of Women’s Mental Health. SpringerLink.
2. Culbert, K. M., Thakkar, K. N., & Klump, K. L. (2022, May 18). Risk for midlife psychosis in women: Critical gaps and opportunities in exploring perimenopause and ovarian hormones as mechanisms of risk. Psychological medicine.
3. KL;, B. V. N. (2016, December 1). Postpartum psychosis: Madness, mania, and melancholia in motherhood. The American journal of psychiatry.
4. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. (2015, August 13). Some cases of postpartum psychosis may be autoimmune encephalitis - MGH center for women’s mental health. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health - Perinatal & Reproductive Psychiatry at Mass General Hospital.
5. Osborne, L. M. (2019, September 1). Recognizing and managing postpartum psychosis: A clinical guide for Obstetric Providers. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America.
6. Patkin, A. (2023, February 10). Where could Lindsay Clancy’s case go from here? here’s what legal experts say. Boston.com.
7. Rohde, A., & Marneros, A. (1993, March 1). Prognosis of puerperal psychoses: Follow-up and outcome after an average of 26 years. Europe PMC.

In this episode, Trisha shares her raw and powerful experience surviving postpartum psychosis. She describes her second pregnancy when she was diagnosed with bipolar, a traumatic birth experience involving induction, and then the development of postpartum psychosis with her third baby. We talk misconceptions of postpartum psychosis from media portrayals, the onset of her symptoms during labor, and the lasting impact on her life, custody of her children, and marriage. She reflects on the stigma around postpartum psychosis, the difficult intersection of medication and pregnancy, and the role of both psychiatry and therapy in her recovery journey.

Trisha’s story is a story of resilience. With honesty and courage, she challenges the stereotypes and reminds us that diagnosis, treatment, and support can make all the difference.

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses topics that include self harm and domestic abuse, as well as an overview of the Andrea Yates case involving child abuse and infanticide.

Resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800.799.SAFE
• National Maternal Mental Health - 1-833-TLC-MAMA
• PSI’s Mind the Gap
• PSI Yates Children Memorial Fund Legal Justice Program

Citations:

1. Barjasteh-Askari, F., Davoudi, M., Amini, H., Ghorbani, M., Yaseri, M., Yunesian, M., Mahvi, A. H., & Lester, D. (2020). Relationship between suicide mortality and lithium in drinking water: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 264, 234–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.12.027
2. Denno, D. W. (2003). Who is Andrea Yates? A short story about insanity. FLASH: The Fordham Law Archive of Scholarship and History. https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/faculty_scholarship/104/
3. Jack, S. P., & Petrosky, E. (2018, September 27). Surveillance for violent deaths - national violent death reporting system, 27 states, 2015. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6711a1.htm
4. Osborne, L. M. (2019, September 1). Recognizing and managing postpartum psychosis: A clinical guide for Obstetric Providers. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6174883/