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Mom says postpartum psychosis made her feel like 'such a monster'

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A mother of four shared her harrowing experience with postpartum psychosis, a rare but dangerous condition that caused her to experience violent auditory hallucinations.
  • Haley Ashcom described her symptoms escalating from insomnia and anxiety to believing intrusive thoughts turned into voices, which became increasingly severe.
  • Postpartum psychosis is a break from reality, affecting 1-2 per 1,000 women, and can lead to delusions, self-harm, or harm to the child if untreated.

Haley Ashcom, a mother of four, has bravely shared her experience with postpartum psychosis, a rare condition that profoundly impacted her life after the birth of her first son in 2020. Initially struggling with insomnia and anxiety, Ashcom's symptoms worsened, leading her to believe that intrusive thoughts had transformed into violent voices.

What I believe were intrusive thoughts ended up turning into voices.

— Haley AshcomAshcom described the escalation of her symptoms after giving birth.

"What I believe were intrusive thoughts ended up turning into voices," Ashcom recounted. She was initially diagnosed with postpartum depression and prescribed Zoloft, but the auditory hallucinations intensified. "I've never in my life gone through a period where I thought it would be better not to be alive, and all of a sudden, it became the only option," she said.

Ashcom sought help at a hospital, where she received another anti-anxiety medication, but the voices persisted. She eventually admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. "I was so taken aback and thought that I was such a monster," she admitted.

I've never in my life gone through a period where I thought it would be better not to be alive, and all of a sudden, it became the only option.

— Haley AshcomAshcom detailed the severity of her suicidal thoughts related to postpartum psychosis.

Perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider explained to CBS News that postpartum psychosis is a "break from reality" where the brain struggles to process information, leading to delusions often centered around the baby. Affecting about one to two per 1,000 women, the condition can have severe consequences if left untreated, including mothers harming themselves or their children. Dr. Catherine Birndorf expressed concern that the illness is underdiagnosed, calling it "a very lethal and dangerous illness that when left untreated has tragic outcomes."

I was so taken aback and thought that I was such a monster.

— Haley AshcomAshcom expressed her feelings upon receiving the postpartum psychosis diagnosis.

The ongoing trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children while allegedly suffering from postpartum psychosis, has brought renewed attention to the condition. Birndorf views the trial as a "watershed moment" for raising awareness.

a break from reality" where "the brain cannot properly process information

— Dr. Uruj Kamal HaiderA perinatal psychiatrist defined postpartum psychosis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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