Explain postpartum psychosis, admission and treatment to a distressed partner — CASC communication station

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes active time after reading. You are the psychiatry registrar after assessing the mother. ^[1]

Candidate instructions. Explain postpartum psychosis as a medical-psychiatric emergency that is highly treatable; outline why admission (ideally mother-baby unit if available and safe) is needed; describe dual risk planning for mother and infant honestly; explain sequential treatment principles (sleep, antipsychotic, lithium with monitoring, ECT if required) and lactation trade-offs; address child-protection fears without promising absolute secrecy if acute risk; discuss high recurrence risk and prevention for a future pregnancy. Check understanding. The examiner plays the partner. ^[2][5][3]