People with postpartum bipolar disorder have severe high and low shifts in their mood after giving birth. Pregnancy can increase the risk of complications with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mental health condition. It causes atypical shifts in mood, energy, and concentration that can affect a person’s daily life.

There are several BD types. If a person receives a BD diagnosis in the recovery period after giving birth, this is known as postpartum bipolar disorder (PPBD).

Pregnancy may worsen a person’s BD symptoms and increase their risk of some complications. However, several treatments can help manage PPBD.

This article discusses what causes postpartum bipolar disorder, PPBD versus postpartum depression, and whether PPBD can lead to bipolar disorder. It also discusses PPBD symptoms and treatments.

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If a person receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the recovery period after pregnancy, this is known as postpartum bipolar disorder.

People with BD have a higher risk of worsening mood changes during the postpartum period. They may experience symptoms for the first time or have a relapse in symptoms.

Researchers do not currently know what causes bipolar disorder. Possible causes include:

  • issues with the brain’s:
    • chemistry
    • structure
    • functioning
  • issues with a person’s genetics

People with BD often develop it in their mid-20s. They may have several episodes of symptoms that come and go over months or years. This can lead to people having BD episodes at the same time as multiple pregnancies and childbirth.

A pregnant person may experience several anxiety and mood conditions during pregnancy or after giving birth. These conditions include PPBD and postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression

Many pregnant people feel sad, worried, or tired within a few days of giving birth. For some, these feelings go away in a few days.

A person may have postpartum depression (PPD) if they feel sad, hopeless, or anxious for longer than 2 weeks after giving birth. They may also not feel connected to their baby or not feel like a parent to them. A person with PPD may also not feel they love or care for the infant.

These feelings may be mild to severe and can interfere with a person’s daily life. About 1 in 7 pregnant people may develop PPD.

PPD is a serious mental health condition. It may affect a person’s parenting ability and development of the baby. However, there are effective treatments available. If a person is experiencing symptoms of PPD, they need to speak with a healthcare professional.

Learn more about postpartum depression.

Postpartum bipolar disorder

According to 2017 research, 21.4% to 54% of women with PPD may also have BD. Many individuals who receive a diagnosis of PPD may actually have BD instead.

Pregnant people with BD may mostly experience depressive episodes. These episodes typically include the same symptoms of depression. It may be challenging for healthcare professionals to distinguish BD from PPD.

Which is more severe?

People with PPBD may have a higher risk of developing postpartum psychosis shortly after giving birth. This condition is a medical emergency and can cause:

A person with PPBD may also have a higher risk of hospitalization than people with conditions such as PPD.

Can postpartum depression lead to bipolar disorder?

Having a history of PPD can increase a person’s risk of having BD. It may also increase their risk of major depression and further PPD.

Symptoms of PPBD include unusual shifts in a person’s mood, known as depressive or manic episodes. These periods can last for most of a day, days, or weeks.

Symptoms of manic episodes may include:

  • feeling very joyful or extremely irritable or touchy
  • feeling more active than usual or jumpy
  • needing less sleeptalking fast about many things
  • racing thoughts
  • feeling able to do many things at once without becoming tired
  • having an excessive appetite for activities such as food, drink, or intercourse
  • feeling unusually powerful, talented, or important

Symptoms of depressive episodes may include:

  • feeling very down, sad, or anxious
  • feeling slowed down or restless
  • having difficulty getting or waking up from sleep
  • sleeping a lot
  • talking very slowly
  • feeling unable to find anything to say
  • forgetfulness
  • trouble concentrating or making decisions
  • feeling unable to do simple things
  • having a lack of interest in nearly all activities
  • feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • suicidal thoughts

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

A person may also have episodes of mixed symptoms. People with some forms of BD may have hypomania, a less severe form of manic episodes.

Although people with PPBD can have both high and low episodes, most of the episodes during and after pregnancy are low mood or depressive episodes.

A pregnant person with BD may also experience more severe BD symptoms. These can lead to an increased risk of complications for them and their fetus or embryo.

Treatment options for PPBD can help people to have fewer mood episodes. They include:

They also include medication, including:

However, some PPBD medications are not safe for a pregnant person. A person who is pregnant and has BD needs to discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional.

The following are answers to some questions people frequently ask about postpartum bipolar disorder.

What is postpartum mania?

Postpartum mania is when a person experiences periods of feeling overactive, restlessness, or uninhibited during the period after giving birth. People with BD may have a higher risk of having postpartum mania episodes.

What age does bipolar start in females?

The average age for the onset of BD in most people is 25 years old.

Bipolar disorder resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on bipolar disorder.

People with postpartum bipolar disorder (PPBD) experience new or worsened bipolar disorder symptoms in the period after giving birth. They generally have episodes of very high and very low moods that can severely affect their daily life.

Researchers do not currently know the exact cause of PPBD. However, there are effective treatments to help a person with PPBD experience fewer mood episodes and manage the condition.