ICD-11 · 6E21

Mental or behavioral disorders associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium, with psychotic symptoms

A severe perinatal mental disorder with onset typically within days to 2 weeks after delivery, characterized by psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and rapid mood changes. Also known as postpartum psychosis or puerperal psychosis.

Symptoms

Onset within 2 weeks of delivery (rapid postpartum onset) (also: postpartum psychosis, puerperal psychosis, rapid onset after delivery, psychosis within days of birth, acute puerperal psychosis)
Hallucinations (auditory or visual) (also: postpartum hallucinations, hearing voices after childbirth, visual hallucinations in puerperium, puerperal hallucinations)
Delusions (often about the baby) (also: delusions about baby, belief baby is possessed, nihilistic delusions about infant, postpartum delusions, paranoid ideas about newborn)
Severe mood instability (mania, depression, mixed states) (also: severe mood swings postpartum, postpartum mania, rapid cycling after delivery, mixed postpartum state, extreme mood changes in puerperium)
Confusion and disorientation (also: postpartum confusion, disorientation in puerperium, cognitive disorganization after birth, confusion with psychosis after delivery)
Risk to self or baby (suicidal ideation, infanticide risk) (also: risk of harm to baby, risk of infanticide, suicidal ideation postpartum, danger to newborn, self-harm risk after delivery)

Synonyms and related terms

postpartum psychosis, puerperal psychosis, rapid onset after delivery, psychosis within days of birth, acute puerperal psychosis, postpartum hallucinations, hearing voices after childbirth, visual hallucinations in puerperium, puerperal hallucinations, delusions about baby, belief baby is possessed, nihilistic delusions about infant, postpartum delusions, paranoid ideas about newborn, severe mood swings postpartum, postpartum mania, rapid cycling after delivery, mixed postpartum state, extreme mood changes in puerperium, postpartum confusion, disorientation in puerperium, cognitive disorganization after birth, confusion with psychosis after delivery, risk of harm to baby, risk of infanticide, suicidal ideation postpartum, danger to newborn, self-harm risk after delivery

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Mental or behavioral disorders associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium, with psychotic symptoms?

Symptoms associated with Mental or behavioral disorders associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium, with psychotic symptoms (ICD-11 6E21) include: Onset within 2 weeks of delivery (rapid postpartum onset), Hallucinations (auditory or visual), Delusions (often about the baby), Severe mood instability (mania, depression, mixed states), Confusion and disorientation, Risk to self or baby (suicidal ideation, infanticide risk).

WHO ICD-11 source

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Source: WHO ICD-11 (chapter 6 – Mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders). Used under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO. ICD Diagnostica is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO. Informational use only – does not replace clinical judgment.