Abstract Bipolar disorder is a disorder of mood, in which a person has episodes of both elevated and depressed mood. These episodes of major change of mood are associated with distress and disturbance of function. Women who give birth, approximately 50 to 80% experience the “postnatal blues” following delivery. The incidence of mild to moderate depression is 10 to 16%. Severe, or psychotic, depression occurs rarely, in about 1 or 2 out of 1000 postpartum women. So special attention should be given to pregnant mothers who have past history of any psychiatric disorders. Possibly the psychiatrist face difficulty to make definite diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) against postnatal blues because the symptoms of postnatal blues usually begins 3 to 4 days after delivery, worsen by days 5 to 7, and tend to resolve by day 12. The aetiology of postnatal BPAD may very likely be a combination of genetic, hormonal, biochemical, psychodynamic and environmental influences. The treatment of postnatal BPAD varies with the severity of illness and may be treated with mood stabilizers, antidepressants and anxiolytics, along with supportive psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Multidisciplinary team, family members and friends may play vital role in the management of patient with postnatal BPAD.
Keywords: Postnatal; Bipolar Affective Disorder; Case Study; Multidisciplinary Team; Treatment.