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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

A father with postpartum psychosis

Lokesh Shahani1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA. lokesh83@hotmail.com

BMJ Case Reports
|May 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Postpartum psychosis, a severe mood disorder, can affect fathers. This case study highlights a male patient experiencing acute mania with psychotic symptoms after his child's birth, successfully treated with medication.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Perinatal Mental Health
  • Psychotic Disorders

Background:

  • Postpartum psychosis is a severe mood disorder occurring in the perinatal period.
  • It is most commonly linked to postpartum bipolar disorder.
  • While typically associated with mothers, paternal postpartum psychosis is a recognized, albeit rare, condition.

Observation:

  • A case report details a male patient admitted to a psychiatric unit five days after his wife gave birth.
  • The patient exhibited significant concern for his child's well-being, fearing harm.
  • He presented with an acute manic episode featuring psychotic symptoms.

Findings:

  • The patient received a diagnosis of acute manic episode with psychotic symptoms.
  • Treatment involved olanzapine and lithium.
  • The patient remained symptom-free on a therapeutic lithium dose three months post-episode.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering paternal mental health in the postpartum period.
  • Psychological stress may precipitate severe mood and psychotic disorders in fathers.
  • Early diagnosis and pharmacotherapy, including mood stabilizers like lithium, are crucial for managing paternal postpartum psychosis.

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