expectingzzz13.com

InsiderGuideRecoveryafterPostpartumPsychosis2ProjectDirector:DrJessicaHeronSeniorResearchFellowinPerinatalPsychiatryUniversityofBirminghamEmail:j.
c.
heron@bham.
ac.
ukAPPChair:DrIanJonesReaderinPerinatalPsychiatryCardiffUniversityEmail:jonesir1@cardiff.
ac.
ukActiononPostpartumPsychosisTel:02033229900Email:app@app-network.
orgWebsite:www.
app-network.
orgTwitter:@ActionOnPP#PPTalkFacebook:www.
facebook.
com/ActionOnPPPPTalkOnlineCommunity:www.
app-network.
org/pptalkOnetoOneEmailSupport:www.
app-network.
org/peer-supportContactInformationContentsEarlydays–therstcoupleofmonthsafterdiagnosis4YourfeelingsTreatmentDailylifeasaMumRebuildingcondence–therst6monthstoayear9TreatmentGettingbackintoMumworldMovingon–livinglifetothefullafterPP12YourfeelingsPlanningforthefuture3MumswhohaverecoveredfromPostpartumPsychosisgaveustheirtipsfortherstyearofrecoveryandbeyond.
Inonemother'swords–wearewomen"who'vebeenthereandknowwhatit'slike–andknowthere'sanendtoitandyouwillcomeoutastrongerpersonforit".
4Section1Earlydays–therstcoupleofmonthsafterdiagnosisYourfeelingsIt'snormaltofeelawholerangeofemotionswhenyoubegintorecoverfromPostpartumPsychosis(PP).
Belowaresomecommonemotions:tShocktEmbarrassmenttWhymetAngertExhaustiontGuilttWorry(bonding,yourrelationship,yourfuturehealth)MakingsenseofwhathashappenedIntheearlydaysafterbeingdiagnosedand/orreceivingtreatmentinhospitalyoumayfeelasenseofconfusionabouttheeventsofyourbaby'sbirthandyourillness.
Manywomenndithardtoremembertheexactsequenceofeventsfrombecomingunwelltogettinghelp.
Youmayalsofeelletdownorunhappyaboutthewaytreatmentwasstarted,especiallyifyouhadtogotohospitalunderasectionoftheMentalHealthAct.
YoumaywanttounderstandmoreaboutPostpartumPsychosis,oryoumaynotfeelreadytodealwithdetailedinformationyet.
Someofthefollowingideascanhelp:tAskyourMentalHealthTeamforasummaryofeventsandyourtreatment.
tTalktoyourpartnerorfamilyaboutwhathappened–butsomepeoplendthisveryhardandneedtimetorecoverrst.
tWriteyourstoryinaprivatediary.
tUsephotosormemoriestoputtogetheratime-line.
Thiscanhelpyoulookbackonyourbaby'srstdayseventhoughtheyweren'thowyouexpectedthemtobe.
tReadotherwomen'sstories–askafriendtolookontheAPPwebsite(www.
app-network.
org)andndencouragingstoriesforyou.
Bewaryofgooglingbeforeyouareuptoitassomewebcontentcanbeupsetting.
tCometoourPPTalksupportforumatwww.
app-network.
org/pptalkorrequestemailsupportfromamotherwhohasrecoveredfromPPatwww.
app-network.
org/peer-supportComingtotermswithshockingortraumaticbehaviourManywomenbehaveinwaysthatarereallyoutofcharacterduringanepisodeofPostpartumPsychosis.
Itmayhelpjusttoknowthattheseexperiencesareusualsymptomsoftheillness.
ItisverycommonduringPPtobecomeangry,excitable,useinappropriatelanguage,beover-familiarwithstrangers,orbelieveyouhavespecialinsightorpowers.
Distressingthoughtsaboutharmingyourselforyourbabyarealsocommon,thoughveryupsetting.
Itisverynormaltofeelembarrassmentorshockatthethingsyoudidwhenunwell.
Theseideascanhelp:tAskyourMentalHealthTeamforinformationaboutcommonsymptomsofPP.
tRemindyourselfthattheseweresymptomsoftheillnessandnotapermanentchangeinyou.
tTalkthroughupsettingsymptomswithyourpartner.
tAsktospeaktoahealthprofessional(e.
g.
asupportworker,specialistmidwife,communitypsychiatricnurse,oranothermemberoftheMentalHealthTeam)abouthowyoufeelaboutyoursymptoms.
tApsychologistorcounsellor(particularlyonewithspecialistknowledgeofpostnatalillness)maybeabletohelpyoutalkthroughyourexperiences.
5FeelingknockedinyourcondenceasaMumMostwomenwhohaveexperiencedPostpartumPsychosisndtheircondencetakesahugedip.
Thiscanbeespeciallytruefordoingdailythingswithyourbaby.
Therstweeksathomeafterhospitalcanbedauntingandit'simportanttohavepracticalhelpwithyourbaby.
Youwillalsoneedtimetorebuildyourownself-belief.
It'shelpfultokeepgoingwithnappychanges,dressingyourbabyandfeeding–asoftenasyoucan.
RememberyourbabyknowsyouareMumandhasaspecialbondwithyoualreadybuiltfrombeforebirth.
Someideastohelp:tGoingtomotherandbabygroupsmightfeelabitdauntingatrst.
Ifso,useyourHealthVisitor,orMum-friendlywebsitesforbabycareadvice.
tAskforpracticaltipsforplayingwithyourbabyifyouareanxiousabouthowtointeract.
Atrstitmightfeellikeyouaregoingthroughthemotions,butintimeyourcondencewillrecover.
tRememberthatallnewMumsareanxiousaboutwhethertheyaredoingitright.
Keeptakingitgently.
Youwillgetthere.
tIfyoucan,accepthelpfromfriendsandfamily.
Beclearaboutthehelpyouwouldlike,sothattheyresisttheurgetotakeover.
ExhaustionIntherstfewweeksoftreatment,youmightcontinuetofeelquiteenergeticand'buzzy'ifyouhaveexperiencedmaniaaspartofyourillness.
However,mostwomenndthatasmedicationbeginstotakeeffect,andrecoverybegins,theyfeelphysicallyandemotionallydrained.
TryandrememberthatallnewMumsfeelexhausted,andmakesureyougetasmuchrestaspossible.
Aswellasanewbaby,youhavealsohadaseriousillnesssoit'sreallyimportanttosleep,rest,anddon'tputtoomuchpressureonyourself.
tRestorsleepwhenyourbabysleeps.
Thehouseworkwillwait!
tSeekoutpracticalhelpinthehouse–friends,familyoravolunteerfromHomeStartwww.
home-start.
org.
uktTakeshortbuggy-walksinthedaytimeifyoufeeldrainedwhenbabyisunsettled.
tShareresponsibilityfornightfeedsifyoupossiblycan.
tTalktoyourMentalHealthTeamabouthowyouarefeeling.
Takingmedicationatbedtimemightreducesleepinessintheday.
AnxietiesaboutthefutureRecoverymightfeellikealongwayoffatthemoment.
Rememberthatyouwillgetthere.
AlmostallwomenwhohavePPrecoverfully.
Manysaythatithasmadethemunderstandbetterwhat'simportantinlife,andhasmadethemstrongerinthelongterm.
TherearenoknownadverseaffectsofhavinganepisodeofPPforthedevelopmentofyourbaby.
6Shock"It'ssuchashockandatthetimethatyouwereexpectingthistobesuchawonderfultime.
""Ithinkhewasasshockedasmereally,youdon'texpectthatkindofthingtohappenafteryou'vehadababyatall,it'sjustnotonyourradar.
"Embarrassment"That'spsychologicallystayedwithme,beingoutsideinmypyjamas.
It'sliketheultimateimageofamentalpatient.
"Whyme"Ittookalongtimetokindofrationalisewhathadhappenedtomeandwhythishadhappenedtome.
.
.
couldIhavedoneanythingbetter,andallthisstuff.
""Consequently,Iwastedalotoftimeandworkedmyselfintoadepressionponderingthe"whyme"questionandtryingtounderstandwhymybrainhadnotfunctionedproperlyforaperiod.
"Anger"Ijustfeelverybitter,andangryaboutthewholeexperience.
"Guilt"Allthesefeelingsofguiltbecauseyoumissedout,ornotbeingthereforyournewbornbaby,andguilty,becauseyouleftyourhusbandtodealwithitallwhenit'sthersttimeforhimaswell.
"Exhaustion"IjustthoughtonceIwasoutofhospital,andthereallydelusionalbithadgone,Ithought'I'moutofthewoods'youknow…'yeahit'sallgoingtobene',andthenactuallythedepressionafterwards,thedeep,deepdepressionafterwards,wasjustsuchablow,suchadoublewhammy.
"Worry"Iworriedaboutinteraction.
IworriedthatI'dnevergetbetterfromthedepressionbecauseitwasverycyclical.
Ireally,reallyworriedabouttheimpactonmychildbecauseI'dreadaboutMumswhohavementalhealthproblemsaffectingtheirkids,Iworriedaboutthegeneticsideofit.
Whatdidn'tIworryaboutIworried,Iworriedformymarriage,allsortsofstufflikethatreally.
""Iwasterried,absolutelyterried,thatIwasn'tdoingtherightthingswithher.
Ithoughtshewasn'tgonnalearntotalkordoanythingbecauseIwasn'tinteractingwithherright.
"Herearesomequotesfromwomendescribingtheirfeelingsintheearlydays:7MedicationMostwomenwhohaverecoveredsaythattakingmedicationwasvitaltotheirrecovery.
Medicationshelpbringthesymptomsofpsychosisundercontrolandtostabilisemood.
Youmayfeel,however,thatmedicationonlyhelpswithhalftheproblem–symptomsbutnotselfcondence.
Itisimportanttousemoreactiverecoverymethodsalongsidemedicationtohelpwithselfcondenceandthesocialsideofrecovery.
Intherst6–12monthsofrecovery,itislikelyyouwillstillbetakingmedicationofsomesort.
Youmayhavebeenprescribedanantipsychotic,amoodstabiliser,antidepressantsorsleepingtablets.
MINDhaveproducedexcellentmedicationguideswhichgivedetailedinformation:www.
mind.
org.
uk/help/medical_and_alternative_careManymedicationsusedtotreatPostpartumPsychosishavesomeside-effects.
Herearesometipsformanagingside-effects:tKeeptalkingtoyourMentalHealthTeamand/orGPaboutmonitoringyourdose.
Higherdosesofantipsychoticsparticularlycanmakeyouverysleepyanddemotivated,butdosesthataretoolowcandelayrecovery.
tDon'tbeafraidtoremindprofessionalsprescribingyourmedicationthatyouhaveayoungbabyandyouwanttobeabletodoasmuchasyoucantocareforyourbaby.
tTalktoyourMentalHealthTeamaboutalteringthetimeofdaythatyoutakeyourmedication.
Somewomenndthattakingmedicationatbedtimereducessleepinessintheday.
tGiveyourselfplentyoftimetogetgoinginthemorningwhereverpossible.
tTrylongerwalkswithapramorsling,ortakingyourbabyswimmingtohelpwithfatigueorweightgainassociatedwithmedication.
ProfessionalsupportDuringrecovery,mostwomenwillcontinuetoreceivesupportfrommentalhealthservices.
ThismaybefromaspecialistperinatalMentalHealthTeam,butinmanypartsofthecountrythisismorelikelytocomefromacommunityMentalHealthTeamoranEarlyInterventioninPsychosisteam.
YoumayhaveoutpatientappointmentswithaDoctororhaveaCommunityPsychiatricNursethatvisitsyouathome.
SupportisalsoavailablefromyourGP,HealthVisitororspecialistpostnatalsupportworkers.
Whenyouleavehospital,aplanshouldbeputinplacetoprovidesupportforyouwhileyouareathome.
YoucancontactyourGPorMentalHealthTeamtodiscusswhatsupportisavailablelocallyorvisitNHSChoiceswww.
nhs.
uk/Pages/HomePage.
aspxVisitsorappointmentswithprofessionalscanseemintrusive,andyoumightworrythatyour'performance'asaMumisbeingmonitored.
Itisreallynormaltofeellikethis,andOKtotalktoyourHealthVisitorormidwifeifyouneedreassurance.
ItisalsoOKtoaskforspecicadvicetohelpyoubondmorewithyourbaby–forexampleplanningrealisticdailyactivitiesthatwillbegoodforbothyouandyourchild.
SomeareasoftheUKhavecoursesorclassesforparentswhohaveexperiencedmentalillhealth,orMums'groupsforwomenwithsimilarexperiences.
YoucouldaskyourHealthVisitortohelpyoundoutwhatisavailablelocally.
Ifyoundthatfeelingsofanxietyorlowmoodareoverwhelmingyouoryouhaveconcernsthatyouarerelapsing,don'twaitforyournextappointment.
Asktoseeyourpsychiatristattheearliestavailableappointment.
Treatment10GoodtimesDuringyourbaby'srstyeartherewillbespecialtimestorememberasyourecover.
Itcanbeeasytomissoutonenjoyingtherstsmile,milestoneslikereachingfortoysorsittingup.
Youcouldinvestinababyrecordbooktoputinimportantdatesandphotos–evenifyouarelowatthetimeitcanfeelreallyimportantlatertolookbackontheseandseehowmuchyourbabyhasgrownup.
AskyourpartnerorfamilytotakelotsofMedicationIntherst6–12monthsofrecovery,itislikelyyouwillstillbetakingmedicationsuchasanantipsychoticoramoodstabiliser.
Youmayhavebeenprescribedanantidepressantandsomethingtohelpwithanxietyorsleepingproblems.
Seewww.
mind.
org.
uk/help/medical_and_alternative_careformoreinformationAlthoughmostwomenfeelthattakingmedicationregularlywasveryimportantintheirrecovery,manymedicationsusedtotreatPostpartumPsychosishavesomeside-effects.
Herearesometipsformanagingside-effects:tKeeptalkingtoyourMentalHealthTeamand/orGPaboutmonitoringyourdose.
Higherdosesofantipsychoticsparticularlycanmakeyouverysleepyanddemotivated,butdosesthataretoolowcandelayrecovery.
tDon'tbeafraidtoremindprofessionalsprescribingyourmedicationthatyouhaveayoungchildandwanttobeabletoplayandinteractwithyourchild.
tTalktoyourMentalHealthTeamaboutalteringthetimeofdaythatyoutakeyourmedication.
Somewomenndthattakingmedicationatbedtimereducessleepinessintheday.
tGiveyourselfplentyoftimetogetgoinginthemorningwhereverpossible.
tExercisecanhelpwithfatigueorweightgainassociatedwithmedication.
tRegularwalksoranexerciseclasswithacrèchecanbehelpful.
photosifyougoonholidayoraday-trip.
Youcouldtrypaintedhandprintsorfootprints,orputtingtogetheranonlinealbumofphotos.
FormanyMumswhohaveexperiencedPostpartumPsychosis,yourbaby'srstbirthdayisaveryspecialandpoignanttime.
Youwillprobablystillfeelsomesadness,butalsoreliefandprideatmakingitthroughatoughrstyear.
ThinkingofcounsellingIntherstyearofrecovery,youmayfeelyouwanttotalktoacounselloraboutyourexperienceofPostpartumPsychosis.
Goingthroughsuchaseriousillnesscanhaveanimpactonyoursenseofself,yourrelationshipwithyourpartner,andespeciallyonyourcondenceasaMum.
It'saverypersonalchoiceaboutifandwhenyoufeelreadytoopenthesethingsuptoaprofessional.
Accessing'talkingtreatments'–particularlyontheNHScanbedifcult–butthereareanumberofoptionstothinkabout.
tYourGPorpsychiatristmaybeabletoreferyouforatalkingtreatment,suchasCognitiveBehaviouralTherapy(CBT),whichcanbeparticularlyhelpfulfordepression,changingyourthoughtsaboutyourselfasaMumandcopingwithanxiety(usually6–12sessions).
tRelatewww.
relate.
org.
ukoffercounsellingforindividualsandcouplesaboutmanagingtheimpactofillnessonyourrelationship.
SeealsoRelateforparents:www.
relateforparents.
org.
uktPrivatecounsellorscanbeexpensive,butcanofferlongertermtherapytotalkaboutthetraumaofillness,andexplorechangeinyoursenseofwhoyouare.
LookforaBACPaccreditedcounsellorherewww.
bacp.
co.
uktRemember,ifyoudonotgetonwiththecounselloryouhavebeengiven–trysomeoneelse.
Acounsellorwithadifferentapproach,levelofknowledge,orpersonalitymightbemorebenecial.
Treatment11GettingbackintoMum-worldSharingyourexperiencesAsyoubegintorecover,youmayreallywanttotalktootherMumswhohaveexperiencedmentalhealthproblemsandunderstandsomeofwhatyouhavebeenthrough.
Oneofthebestwaystomakethesecontactsisthroughwebforums:tAPPhasdevelopedapeersupportnetworkspecicallyforwomenwhohaveexperiencedPP,runbyotherwomenwhohavebeenthroughtheexperience.
TogetincontactwithanotherMumwhohasrecoveredfromPP,emailAPP(app@app-network.
org)orvisitwww.
app-network.
org/peer-supportYoucanalsovisitouronlinecommunity,PPTalk,whereyoucanaskquestionsanddiscussissueswithothermotherswhohavebeenaffectedbyPPwww.
app-network.
org/pptalktYoumaywanttowriteyourstoryonaforumsuchasMumsnet–butdotaketimetoconsidertheemotionalimpact,anditcanbehelpfultouseadifferentscreennametoprotectyouridentity.
tForumsaregenerallyverysupportiveandencouragingbuttakegoodcareofyourselfifyouarealsowritingtosupportotherwomenindistress.
tSomewomenndthattheywanttoreadasmuchinformationastheycanaboutPP.
OurFAQwww.
app-network.
org/what-is-pp/faqsectioncanhelplocateusefulinformation.
Freesearchingthewebcanthrowupsomedistressingandunhelpfulpages.
Askafriendtosearchforinformationforyouandscreenoutanythingthatisnothelpful.
MeetinglocalMumsLotsofMumswhohaveexperiencedPostpartumPsychosisndtheircondenceisknockedintermsofsocialisingandmeetingotherMums.
However,knowingotherparentscanreallyhelpifyoufeelisolated,andmanylocalMumswillstillbethereinthefar-offdaysoftheschoolrun!
tUseMumsnetwww.
mumsnet.
com/localtondoutwhatisgoingonforparentsandbabiesinyourlocalarea.
tInviteMum-friendstocafeswithsoft-playareassoyoucanhavetimetochat.
tTryactivitygroupslikeSing&Signwww.
singandsign.
co.
uktGymbabeswww.
tumbletots.
com/programmes.
phpID=3orbabyyogatIfyourpartner,babysitterorfamilycanlookafterthebabyonceinawhile,meetupwithfriendsforalmoraquietdrink.
AllMumsneedtimeouttoo!
12YourfeelingsLifewithatoddlerParentingatoddlerisexhaustingattimesforanyparent,butitcanfeelespeciallychallengingasyourecoverfromPostpartumPsychosis.
Itcanbeeasytoworrythattantrumsorwilfulnessareasignthatyouhaven'tbondedproperly,orthatyourchildisupsetwithyoubecauseofbeingunwell.
Trytoreadasmuchasyoucanaboutnormaltoddlerbehaviourandreassureyourselfthattheirtestingoftheboundariesisagoodsignandnotyourfault!
UsefulresourcesfortoddlerstMumsnetwww.
mumsnet.
com/toddlerstRelateforParents:www.
relateforparents.
org.
uktCbeebieswebsite,especiallysongsandgameswww.
bbc.
co.
uk/cbeebiestCombatboredombyborrowingfromyourlocaltoylibrarywww.
natll.
org.
ukSadnessandlossIttakesmostMumsatleastayeartobegintofeelcondentintheirrecovery.
Aftertherstyear,yourmoodmayfeelmorestableandyouwillhavesomeexperienceofthechallengesofmotherhoodunderyourbelt.
However,itisstillreallynormaltofeelasenseoflossoftherstmonthsofyourchild'slife.
Itcanbehardtocometotermswithnotenjoyingyourbabyasmuchasyouwantedto,andthinkingaboutthetinybabystagemaystillmakeyoufeelquitesad.
It'simportanttoallowyourselftogrieveforthisloss,andalsotocelebratewhatyouhaveachievedinrecovery.
ReectingonsurvivingPostpartumPsychosisSomewomenareabletolookbackontheirexperienceofPostpartumPsychosisandreectonhowithasmadethemstronger,orhelpedthemvaluetheirlovedonesevenmore.
However,thisisnotthesameforeveryone,andyoumaystillbedealingwiththeimpactofillnessonyourrelationship,worklifeorself-condence.
Itcanbereallyhelpfultolookbackandadmireyourselfforcourageanddeterminationtoworkthroughyourrecovery,whateveryourcircumstances.
Youmaywanttotalkyourrecoverythroughwithsomeoneprofessional–seeSection2:Treatment:thinkingofcounselling.
Section3MovingOn–livinglifetothefullafterPP13PlanningforthefutureBringaboutsomethingpositiveForsomewomen,afterrecovery,itisimportanttomoveonwithlife.
Forothersitisimportanttocometotermswiththeirexperiencebytryingtobringaboutsomethingpositive.
Theseareallthingsthathavehelpedwomentocometotermswiththeirexperiences:helpingotherwomenwhoareatanearlierstageinrecovery,helpingwitharesearchproject,organisingafundraisingorawarenessraisingactivity,campaigningforimprovedservices,usingtheirexperienceasapersonwith'livedexperience'toadviseonresearchorhealthcarepanels,talkingtoahealthcarestudentsorhealthprofessionalstoeducatethemaboutPP,andreectingonthepositivechangesinlifeandrelationshipsthathavecomeaboutsincetheillness.
MorechildrenItcanbereallyupsettingwhenfriendsbegintoannouncesecondorsubsequentpregnancies.
Itcanseemsuchaneasydecisionforotherfamiliestomake,andyetismuchmorecomplicatedhavingbeenthroughPostpartumPsychosis.
ItisOKtofeelsadorjealous–giveyourselftimetoadjust.
Youmayhavedecideddenitelynottohaveanymorechildren,orbeundecidedandunsureofwhatsortofgapwouldbebest.
Talktoyourpartnerasopenlyasyoucanaboutyourconcernsandhopes.
Readthedetailedinformationhere:www.
app-network.
org/what-is-pp/faq/#FAQ7tohelpyoumakeinformedchoices.
ReturningtoworkAsforallMums,decidingtoreturntoworkorstartinganewjobisdaunting.
ItisaverypersonaldecisionwhetheryoutellyouremployerthatyouhavehadPostpartumPsychosis.
Sadlystigmaanddiscriminationcanstillaffectemploymentprospects.
However,discussingyourexperiencewithanemployeroroccupationalhealthservicecouldenableyoutomakesureyouarewellsupportedatwork,andabletodiscussrelapsepreventionopenly.
TheRethinkwebsitehascomprehensiveadviceongoingbacktoworkafterexperiencingmentalillness:www.
rethink.
org/living-with-mental-illnessLookingafteryourwellbeingatworktConsideraphasedstartifpossible,increasingyourhoursoverafewweeks.
tHavelunchandscreen-breaksawayfromyourdeskwhenatallpossible.
tIfstressorlowmooddoesbuildup,talktoyourbossoroccupationalhealthdepartmentassoonasyoucan.
tBookingoodstretchesofannualleavetospendtimewithyourchild.
tFindaspecialreminderofyourchildtotaketowork–maybesomethingtheyhavemade–tohelpputworkinperspective.
tTakealookatMIND'sguide:FiveWaystoWellbeingatWork:www.
mind.
org.
uk/employment/mind_week_2011/employees/ve_ways_to_wellbeing14RelapseplanningThelongtermoutcomeafteranepisodeofPPtendstobeverygood.
However,somewomenwhohavehadPPwillgoontohavefurtherepisodesofillnessafterchildbirthorunrelatedtochildbirth.
Themostimportantthingistobeabletomonitoryourownmoodsandyoursleep,soyoucancatchearlywarningsignsandaccesstreatment.
Beforeyouaredischargedfromcommunitysupportservicesoryourpsychiatrist,askyourteamtohelpyouputtogetheraplanofactionincaseofillness.
ThistypeofplancouldbewrittenduringpregnancytogetherwithyourmidwifeandMentalHealthTeamifyoudecidetohavemorechildren.
Aplancouldinclude:tTriggersthatyouknowmightmakeyoumorevulnerablesuchasstressorbereavement.
tAnyearlywarningsignstolookoutforsuchassleeplessness.
tWhichmedicationshaveworkedwellforyouinthepast,andatwhatdosestAnymedicationsyouwouldprefertoavoid.
tWhereyouwouldprefertobetreatedifyouhadtogointohospital.
tThetelephonenumbersofanyhealthprofessionalsorservicesyoumightneedshouldyourelapse.
tActivitiesyouhavefoundhelpfulforyourwellbeingandrecovery.
tDownloadableWellnessRecoveryActionPlan(WRAP)www.
workingtogetherforrecovery.
co.
uk/recovery_library.
htm15AcknowledgementsThisguidehasbeenproducedwithfundingfromTheBigLottery,TheMentalHealthResearchNetworkHeartofEnglandHub,TheRoyalCollegeofGeneralPractitionersScienticFoundationBoard,andtheBirmingham&SolihullMentalHealthFoundationNHSTrustCharitableFundsCommittee.
ActiononPostpartumPsychosis(APP)receivescharitabledonationsfrommembersofthepublicandgrantsforitsresearchwork.
APPishostedbytheUniversityofBirminghamandCardiffUniversity.
ThisInsiderGuidehasbeenwrittenforActiononPostpartumPsychosisbyMrsNaomiGilbert,DrJessicaHeron&DrIanJones.
TheinformationwasdevelopedbywomenwhohaverecoveredfromPostpartumPsychosis,duringatwodayQualitativeResearchTrainingWorkshopatTheUniversityofBirmingham,organisedbyDrJessicaHeron.
Wewouldlike,inparticular,tothank:InesBeare,SarahDearden,ClareDolman,NicolaMuckelroy,SonalShah,DrJonathonIvesandAPP'sBoardofTrustees,fortheirhelp.
ActiononPostpartumPsychosisTel:02033229900Email:app@app-network.
orgWebsite:www.
app-network.
orgTwitter:@ActionOnPP#PPTalkFacebook:www.
facebook.
com/ActionOnPPPPTalkOnlineCommunity:www.
app-network.
org/pptalkOnetoOneEmailSupport:www.
app-network.
org/peer-supportRegisteredCharityNumber:113992CopyrightAPP2013FurtherreadingAcopyofthesearticlescanbeobtainedfromtheAPPofce.
Forfurtherinformationaboutthisproject,see:Heron,J.
etal(2012)InformationandsupportneedsduringrecoveryfromPostpartumPsychosis.
ArchivesofWomensHealth15:155–165.
http://bit.
ly/14NicRzSeealso:RobertsonE&LyonsA.
(2003)LivingwithPuerperalPsychosis:aqualitativeanalysis.
Psychology&Psychotherapy76(4)411-31.
http://1.
usa.
gov/16vQVkJDoucet,Setal(2012)SupportneedsofmotherswhoexperiencePostpartumPsychosisandtheirpartnersJournalofObstetric,Gynecologic,&NeonatalNursing:41(2)236–245.
http://bit.
ly/ZzzRE4www.
app-network.
org