Childbirth-related psychosis and familial symbiotic conflict

The authors present 3 cases of childbirth-related psychosis in young women to illustrate an interpersonal psychodynamic pattern that may contribute to such reactions. In each instance, the woman is the submissive partner in a symbiotic relationship with her husband and/or mother. The baby's presence threatens the symbiotic equilibrium of these relationships and leads to the dominant partner's overt or covert aggression against the woman, which precipitates the psychosis. A personal or family history of psychosis may increase the woman's vulnerability to becoming psychotic in this situation.