Look for the "pink flags" of postpartum psychosis — and more takeaways from the latest "Healthful" - CBS News

The latest episode of "Healthful with Norah O'Donnell" examines postpartum psychosis, spurred by the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former nurse accused of killing her three children before attempting suicide, with her defense citing the disorder.
Perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider described postpartum psychosis as "a break from reality" in which the brain cannot properly process information, marked by delusions, hallucinations, and confusion, with delusions often centering on the baby.
Dr. Haider stressed that it is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate hospitalization for the mother and a safe placement for the baby, but noted most women recover fully with prompt treatment; mental health conditions are the leading underlying cause of maternal mortality.
Kriti Lodha shared her own experience with postpartum psychosis in 2020, despite no prior mental health history, attributing it to a "perfect storm" of sleep deprivation, new motherhood, and a traumatic birth.
Lodha's daughter struggled to latch and lost weight, and Lodha's delusions led her to believe neither she nor her husband could care for their child, prompting her to call 911; she was assessed by an obstetrician, taken to the emergency room, and later transferred to an inpatient psychiatric unit.
Now recovered, Lodha emphasized that the condition is temporary and treatable, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and treating both mothers and babies with care and compassion.