Motherhood, Mental Health, and the Courtroom: Dr. Diana Barnes on Expert Witness Work and Postpartum Psychosis

Julia’s Journey: Rearranging Furniture, Telepathic Connections, and Finding Answers After Postpartum Psychosis

In this episode, Julia shares her experience with postpartum psychosis after the birth of her son in 2021. She takes us through her journey navigating care in the Netherlands—from early attempts to support her at home, to a general psychiatric unit, and ultimately to a Mother and Baby Unit. We discuss what it feels like to not grasp your own illness, navigate treatment and recovery, and make sense of life after the acute episode. Julia has a background in neuroscience and is currently completing her PhD in neuroimaging. She lives in Dubai, where she serves as an International Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. She is also a member of the PSI Postpartum Psychosis Task Force. Shortly after launching this podcast, Julia generously offered to help organize and review the growing body of relevant literature I've been gathering—a collaboration we plan to share more about in a future episode. Resources: * Netherlands Crisis Resources: * Emergency services: 112 * Suicide prevention line: 0800-0113 * Crisis hotline: 088 0767 000 * Postpartum Support International [https://postpartum.net/] Citations: 1. Bahji, A., Sepehry, A., & Cabrera, C. (2019, March). ECT beyond unipolar major depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis of electroconvulsive therapy in Bipolar Depression. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30506992/] PubMed. 2. Quevedo, J. (2024, July). The misrepresentation of electroconvulsive therapy in movies [https://med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2024/07/05/the-misrepresentation-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-in-movies/] - Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. McGovern Medical School.

Motherhood, Mental Health, and the Courtroom: Dr. Diana Barnes on Expert Witness Work and Postpartum Psychosis

Dr. Diana Barnes is a psychotherapist, educator, and forensic expert who has spent more than 30 years advancing the field of maternal mental health. After her own experience with postpartum anxiety, she dedicated her career to supporting women and families through the reproductive years as they navigate a wide range of perinatal mental health conditions, including postpartum psychosis. In this episode, Dr. Barnes reflects on the evolution of maternal mental health care and discusses her work as an expert witness in legal cases involving postpartum mental illness. She shares why specialized expertise is essential as these cases navigate the legal system and reflects on a motto of "making lemonade out of lemons"—finding purpose through life's most difficult experiences. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of several cases involving infanticide in the context of severe perinatal mental illness. Resources * Center for Postpartum Health [http://postpartumhealth.com/] - Dr. Barnes Practice * Baby Doe Film [https://www.babydoefilm.com/] * PSI Postpartum Psychosis Taskforce [https://postpartum.net/about-psi/postpartum-psychosis-task-force/] * PSI Legal Toolkit [https://postpartum.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PSI-Legal-Justice-Toolkit.pdf] * PSI Legal Advocacy [https://postpartum.net/about-psi/legal-justice/] Citations: 1. The Mcnaughton Rules. [https://forensicpsychiatryexperts.co.uk/the-mcnaughton-rules] Forensic Psychiatry Experts. (n.d.). 2. PTSD and DSM-5 - PTSD: National Center for PTSD [https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/dsm5_ptsd.asp]. US Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025). 3. Wessel, J., Endrikat, J., & Buscher, U. (2002, November 1). Frequency of denial of pregnancy: Results and epidemiological significance of a 1‐year prospective study in Berlin [https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.811105.x] - wessel - 2002 - Acta obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica - Wiley Online Library. Wiley.

Laura's Lived Experience: Truman Show Delusions, Channeling Nostradamus, and Growing as a Therapist after Postpartum Psychosis

In this episode, Laura reflects on her experience as both a survivor of postpartum psychosis and perinatal mental health provider. Following a painful birth, breastfeeding challenges, and a cycle of sleeplessness, her reality began to blur. She became convinced she was uncovering hidden abusers, predicting the future, and protecting her hospital from an active shooter—delusions that felt entirely real in the moment. Laura shares what postpartum psychosis felt like from the inside, how she and her family navigated hospitalization and recovery, and how this experience has shaped her work in private practice. We discuss how postpartum psychosis does not discriminate, the role of therapy, and the importance of not minimizing our experiences and instead using them to highlight the serious nature of postpartum psychosis. Resources * Laura's Private Practice – Movemeant for Change [https://www.movemeantforchange.com/] * PSI Helpline [https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-helpline/]: 1-800-944-4773 * PSI Provider Directory [https://psidirectory.com/] Citations 1. Bergink, V., & Burgerhout, K. (2015, February). Treatment of psychosis and mania in the postpartum period. [https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13121652]Treatment in Psychiatry. 2. Toor, R., & Wiese, M. (2024). Postpartum psychosis: A preventable psychiatric emergency [https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.focus.20230025]. Psychiatry Online.

Bridget’s Breakthrough: Anxiety to Paranoia, the Infamous Car Wash, and Recovery after Undiagnosed Postpartum Psychosis

Bridget is a health coach, mother of two, and maternal mental health advocate. In this conversation, she shares her experience with undiagnosed postpartum psychosis following the birth of her second child in 2013, which unfolded during the early postpartum period while she was on maternity leave. Although she sought support and received treatment for postpartum anxiety and depression, the more severe symptoms—including paranoia, delusional thinking, and a disconnect from reality—were not recognized at the time as postpartum psychosis. Her experience eventually resolved without hospitalization, but left her with many questions. It wasn’t until years later that Bridget learned there was a name for what she had experienced. Together, we discuss how difficult it can be to recognize postpartum psychosis with waxing and waning symptoms, the fear and uncertainty that can surround seeking higher levels of care, and the importance of talking openly about mental health and suicide prevention. Resources: * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [https://988lifeline.org] (US) — Call or text 988 * International suicide hotline directory [https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines] * U.S. Maternal Mental Health Hotline [https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline] — Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA Citations: 1. Gould, M., & Marrocco, F. (2005, April 6). Evaluating iatrogenic risk of youth suicide screening programs: A randomized controlled trial. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15811983/]JAMA. 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). 5 action steps to help someone having thoughts of suicide. [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/5-action-steps-to-help-someone-having-thoughts-of-suicide?utm_source=chatgpt.com] National Institute of Mental Health.

My Reflections: A Pause for Patterns from Partner & Family Conversations

After six conversations with spouses and family members affected by postpartum psychosis, I wanted to pause and reflect on the patterns that emerged across these stories—from sleeplessness and behavioral changes to the uncertainty families face in recognizing when something is wrong and figuring out how to get help. In this solo episode, I reflect on what happens after the crisis: the challenges of navigating care, the transition home from hospitalization, and the role family members play in recovery. Along the way, I discuss research on family dynamics in psychosis, evidence supporting counseling after traumatic births, and a few ideas for how we can build better systems of support for postpartum families moving forward. If you find value in these conversations, please follow the show wherever you're listening. I'd also love to have you join me on Substack [https://mombreakspodcast.substack.com/], to hear episode updates, resources, and reflections between releases. Citations 1. Dekel, S., Papadakis, J. E., Quagliarini, B., Pham, C. T., Pacheco-Barrios, K., Hughes, F., Jagodnik, K. M., & Nandru, R. (2023, December 18). Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11168224/]American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 2. Verma, M., Bagul, K. R., Gangwal, R., Rastogi, P., Mudgal, V., & Singh, A. (2025, April 23). Expressed emotions in families of patients with bipolar disorder. [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12101606/] Cureus. 3. Williamson, E., & Pipeva, A. (2021, November). The Birth Trauma Psychological Therapy Service: An audit of outcomes - sciencedirect. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613821001790] ScienceDirect. Resources: * National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA * 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 * National Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 * Postpartum Support International HelpLine (non emergencies) - Call or text 1-800-944-4773