Adaure Dankwa, 38, a project manager from Rainham, Kent, was sectioned twice after giving birth due to postpartum psychosis that made her believe her mother-in-law had poisoned her and that the world was ending.
First pregnancy and onset of psychosis
After welcoming her first child, Junior, now four, in December 2021, Adaure began experiencing severe paranoia about two months later. She felt she was being watched, had nightmares of family attacking her, and hallucinated that the world was ending. She stopped bathing and brushing her teeth, and her husband Emmanuel, 35, an IT auditor, rushed her to A&E after she started destroying their home.
Adaure was sectioned and transferred to a mental health unit, where she became violent toward staff, fought imaginary snakes, and attempted self-harm. She was placed in seclusion and treated with haloperidol. After two months, she returned home but fell into a deep depression, feeling suicidal and terrified to be alone with her baby.
Second pregnancy and recurrence
Despite a 50% chance of recurrence, Adaure and Emmanuel decided to have another child. Baby Amara, now one, was born in October 2024. Just six weeks later, in November 2024, the psychosis returned. Adaure accused her mother-in-law of trying to poison her and was admitted to a mother and baby unit. She became so aggressive that she could not keep her child with her, pulling a woman's wig off, damaging bed frames, and suffering a seizure after banging her head on the floor.
She was transferred to a London mental health facility and sectioned again, receiving antipsychotic medication. After two months, she was discharged in January 2025 but again felt suicidal and reluctant to care for her children. With support from her in-laws, she began to recover and felt normal by October 2025. She has now stopped medication and plans to return to work.
Reflections and recovery
Adaure said: "I was convinced my mother-in-law had tried to poison me after I gave birth. I was gripped by fear. This experience has helped me look at the world in a completely different way. Would I have liked it to happen twice? Hell no, but it has shaped me for the better."
Emmanuel added: "It was challenging balancing my wife's and kids' wellbeing. I supported her with patience, walks, and watching her favourite shows. The second time was easier because I knew what to expect."
The couple has decided not to have more children to avoid further risk. Adaure now hopes to raise awareness about postpartum psychosis and encourage others to seek help.
