Postpartum psychosis awareness raised by survivor's story

Bridget María Chesterton, a history professor from New York, is sharing her personal experience with postpartum psychosis to raise awareness about the severe mental health disorder. Chesterton experienced a loss of reality approximately two weeks after giving birth to her daughter in 2019, a situation she credits to medication and family support.

The disorder has gained public attention due to the legal case of Lindsay Clancy in Massachusetts, where questions have been raised regarding whether postpartum psychosis played a role in the deaths of Clancy's three children. Researchers estimate that postpartum psychosis affects between 1 and 2 out of every 1,000 women following delivery. While most women with the condition do not harm their children, severe cases can lead to self-harm or harm to infants. Chesterton aims to dispel misconceptions and reduce the social stigma surrounding the condition.