Postpartum Psychosis: Recognition, Treatment, and Advocacy with Dr. Susan Feingold
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Episode Notes
In this episode of Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives, host Becky Morrison Gleed speaks with clinical psychologist and advocate Dr. Susan Feingold about postpartum psychosis—a rare but severe perinatal mental health condition that is often misunderstood, misidentified, or minimized.
Dr. Feingold explains how postpartum psychosis differs from more common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, why it is considered a psychiatric emergency, and how it can present suddenly, even in individuals with no prior mental health history. The conversation explores clinical features such as loss of contact with reality, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, sleep disruption, and fluctuating symptoms that can complicate recognition.
The episode also addresses systemic gaps: the absence of postpartum psychosis as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM, the implications for clinical care and legal outcomes, and ongoing legislative efforts in the U.S. to prioritize treatment over punishment when postpartum mental illness intersects with the legal system. Throughout, Dr. Feingold emphasizes prevention, early identification, appropriate hospitalization, and the strong potential for recovery with timely, evidence-based treatment.
Topics Discussed
What postpartum psychosis is—and how it differs from postpartum depression and anxiety
Prevalence, risk factors, and why prior mental health history is often absent
Core symptoms: psychosis, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and impaired judgment
Why postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency requiring hospitalization
The role of sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and possible biological mechanisms
“Waxing and waning” symptoms and why they increase risk if misinterpreted
Clinical decision-making for generalists and non-specialist providers
Hospital treatment, medication, and recovery trajectories
Stigma, shame, and the psychological aftermath even when no harm occurs
Legislative advocacy to recognize postpartum psychosis in law and policy
Prevention, education, and systems-level responsibility across healthcare and legal settings
Guest information
Dr. Susan Feingold is a clinical psychologist, author, advocate, and internationally recognized expert in perinatal mental health. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum psychosis. Dr. Feingold serves on the advisory board of Postpartum Support International and has been a leading voice in legislative efforts to reform how postpartum mental illness is understood and addressed within the U.S. legal system.
She is co-author of Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness: A Guide to Changing the Law on a National Level, which documents the passage of the first U.S. postpartum psychosis criminal law in Illinois and offers a framework for advocacy and reform in other states.
Resources
Website: Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Helpline (U.S.): 1-800-944-4773
Book: Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness: A Guide to Changing the Law on a National Level
Available via Amazon and Rowman & LittlefieldWebsite: Dr. Susan Feingold
New York Times article referenced in the episode
(linked in show notes for additional context on postpartum psychosis and public awareness)