The Illness No One Warned Her About: Surviving Postpartum Psychosis

May 26

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LISTEN ON: APPLE | SPOTIFY

Episode Notes

In this powerful and deeply important conversation, Aaisha Alvi joins Becky to share her lived experience with postpartum psychosis following both a live birth and a miscarriage. Aaisha speaks candidly about the rapid onset of symptoms, the terrifying progression of delusions and hallucinations, and the long road to finally receiving an accurate diagnosis after repeated dismissal by healthcare providers.

Together, Becky and Aaisha unpack the critical differences between postpartum depression, intrusive thoughts, and postpartum psychosis — emphasizing that postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Aaisha also sheds light on common misconceptions that can prevent people from getting lifesaving care, including the false belief that someone who is frightened by their thoughts “cannot be psychotic.”

This episode explores the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis, the importance of family observation and advocacy, and the urgent need for better education among healthcare providers. Aaisha also discusses the advocacy work she now does through Postpartum Support International and her memoir, A Mom Like That.

Whether you are a parent, loved one, therapist, physician, or birth professional, this conversation offers essential education, compassion, and hope around one of the most misunderstood perinatal mental health conditions.

Topics Discussed

What postpartum psychosis actually is — and what distinguishes it from postpartum depression or anxiety
Aaisha’s experiences with postpartum psychosis after both a live birth and miscarriage
The rapid onset of delusions, hallucinations, and command hallucinations
Why intrusive thoughts alone are not the same as psychosis
The danger of dismissing patients who are “disturbed by their thoughts”
Miscarriage and pregnancy loss as potential triggers for postpartum psychosis
The role family members play in identifying bizarre behavior
Why postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency
Differences between postpartum psychosis, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features
The importance of comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
Gaps in provider education and screening practices
The emotional impact on partners and family members
Aaisha’s advocacy work, memoir, and awareness efforts

Guest information

Aaisha Alvi is a postpartum psychosis awareness advocate, volunteer with Postpartum Support International, and author of A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis. Through public speaking, writing, and education initiatives, she works to increase awareness and improve understanding of postpartum psychosis among healthcare providers and the public.