Horrible situation- please help me see the light at the end of the tunnel

[TheStitcher]

A close family member has what I think is postpartum psychosis. She’s had a hell of a time since the birth of her baby 6 months ago but has been super mum the whole time. Now she’s suddenly turned on her husband and is accusing him of all kinds of things. She’s taken the kids away from him and won’t let him see them. The poor man is totally distraught.

Has anyone been through anything similar or know anyone who has? Is there any chance of this ever having a happy ending?

I think it needs a psychiatrist to evaluate exactly what the issue is and whether there is any truth to what she is saying. They can then medicate / treat based on that and with the right treatment she may be able to make a full recovery. Though it can be very hard to get good mental health treatment on the NHS. They will refer to SS if any concerns.

I would also be careful with assuming she must be lying / delusional, its possible she is mentally ill because she is being abused and men who do that are often very charming and kind to others and pregnancy is one of the most common times for it to start. Though its hard to know with so little detail.

I'm not sure what advice you want op? You're rebuffing suggestions if legal advice or that she's telling the truth. I suspect you're closely related to the father?

It could be psychosis. But do remember people are always shocked by how men can actually behave.

@ImNotCrazyIWasTested

I think its hard to visualise what could be 100% impossible that others observing don't agree with

Hi OP.
I think the best thing in this situation is for people not to react and panic and think that this will be the same forever- it won't.
I had v bad PND and it put a great strain on my relationship (interestingly I went the other way, and wanted my husband to take baby away and leave me).
It could still be psychosis, yes normally it comes on very quickly, but equally I think it's not uncommon for severe depression to have pyscyhotic elements to it. But if your family member is receiving proper medical attention as she should be, they will be able to make this diagnosis and have a proper care plan in place for her. Medication is very effective at bringing the delusions etc under control, but the depression/anxiety can take a lot longer to heal.
The best thing you can do is to help and support both parents. Can the husband speak with his wife's perinatal team himself? Ideally they should be treating the whole family, as this clearly affects everyone.
It will get better, with treatment and time. The husband should keep doors of communication open with wife and kids and wider family, keep turning up, not take it personally and supporting her recovery as best he can. If that means stepping back/ staying with a relative for a little while, then so be it. Good luck x

Psychosis can be on a spectrum of severity just like any other illness. She is getting treatment. There is not nearly enough information in the first post to be able to speculate on diagnosis or need for ss involvement and that’s not what the op is asking about.
If someone has delusional ideas postpartum then they my well act out on the basis of this - given that they believe the delusions are true.. Eventually with time and treatment the person should regain insight and realise that their actions are completely erroneous. That person may then need a lot of support for the guilt and remorse they may experience. But it can take some time for that to happen and it will be very difficult for everyone involved until it does. So there is usuallly a good recovery ,but it can be hard to come to terms with all the repercussions of what’s happened