The clinical features and symptoms of postpartum psychoses are presented in relation to the classification according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and the concept of “puerperal psychosis”. A number of symptoms, ie confusional symptoms, depersonalization, misrecognitions and the “kaleidoscopic” picture are shown to be prominent features. In schizoaffective disorder and unspecified functional psychosis a higher frequency of confusional symptoms, misrecognitions, thematic delusions and a “kaleidoscopic” course of illness was found compared to schizophrenia, mania or depression. The findings of this study support a special status for postpartum psychosis and suggest a link with the concept of cycloid psychosis. In the management of postpartum mental disorder the risk of child-directed aggression, suicide and sudden relapses into psychosis requires special attention.
