“It shows you your fears”: a qualitative analysis and psychoanalytic interpretation of the psychotic content of postpartum psychosis

BackgroundPostpartum psychosis (PPP) is one of the most acute mental health crises that can occur during the postpartum period. Despite its clinical significance, limited research has focused specifically on the psychotic content – such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking – particularly from a psychoanalytic perspective. This study aims to expand the understanding of PPP by analyzing its psychotic content and exploring their potential psychoanalytic meanings to inform clinical care and future research.MethodsA qualitative research design employing content analysis was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with mothers who had experienced postpartum psychosis (N = 14). Follow-up questions were included to clarify and expand on initial responses. Thematic analysis was conducted, and psychoanalytic theory was applied to interpret the results.ResultsContent analysis identified key characteristics of PPP, including paranoia, preoccupation with the child, religious themes, persecutory delusions, and intrusive thoughts of harming the baby. These themes were analyzed through a psychoanalytic lens to explore their underlying meaning and implications for recovery.DiscussionPsychoanalytic interpretation of the psychotic content provides insights into a mother’s recovery process, suggesting that psychoanalytic treatment may hold promise for addressing these experiences. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore their implications for clinical practice.