Archive · 30 Dec 2025
Postpartum Mental Health Crisis in America
Barbara Decker, a neurologist, experienced a severe mental health crisis after giving birth.
She felt an overwhelming urge to harm herself and her baby, which led to a diagnosis of postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis.
In the U.S., mental health issues are now the leading cause of death related to pregnancy, with American mothers dying at three times the rate of women in other developed countries.
The good news is that effective treatments exist, and most women can fully recover if the conditions are recognized and treated early.
This highlights the importance of mental health support for new mothers.
Barbara Decker, a neurologist, experienced postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis, leading to harmful compulsions.
Mental health complications are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the U.S., with maternal mortality rates three times higher than in other developed countries.
Effective treatments exist, and most women can fully recover with early recognition and intervention.
Decker's experience underscores the importance of mental health support for new mothers.
The U.S. needs to improve mental health care for mothers to reduce the high mortality rates.
- Who
- Barbara Decker, a neurologist and new mother
- What
- Postpartum mental health crisis, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis
- When
- During the postpartum period
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Mental health complications are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the U.S.
- Maternal Mortality Rate
- Three times higher in the U.S. compared to other developed countries
- Leading Cause of Pregnancy-Related Death
- Mental health complications
- Treatment Effectiveness
- Most women fully recover with early recognition and treatment
- Barbara Decker's Condition
- Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis
- Symptoms Experienced
- Overwhelming, unwanted compulsion to harm herself and her baby