Alanis Morissette has shared candid details about her struggles with postpartum depression, revealing that she experienced psychosis and had intrusive thoughts of death and other disturbing scenarios following the birth of her third child. The Grammy-winning singer, 52, discussed her experiences on the podcast “Call Her Daddy” with host Alex Cooper.

Understanding Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Morissette, who is mother to Ever, 14, Onyx, 10, and Winter, 7, with husband Mario ‘Souleye’ Treadaway, explained that while she was familiar with depression, the postpartum period brought a different, more terrifying set of challenges. “It was all the other stuff,” she stated, referring to the invasive and harrowing thoughts that accompanied her experience. “It was the invasive thoughts and the terror. All I could picture was death and terrible things.”

Postpartum depression (PPD) is recognized as part of a broader group of conditions known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, according to health authorities like the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can extend beyond sadness and crying to include difficulties bonding with the baby, anger or rage, feeling overwhelmed, and even thoughts of harming oneself or escaping the situation.

The Impact of Perceived Sanity

The singer described how the experience affected how others perceived her. “It was a bummer to lose people’s trust in her sanity,” Morissette recounted. She noted that people began to look at her differently, with concern and a sense that she might not be stable or trustworthy. “They looked at me like I maybe couldn’t be trusted or was going to fly off the handle,” she said, emphasizing that such behavior is not characteristic of her.

Postpartum Experiences and Escalating Difficulty

Morissette revealed that she has experienced postpartum challenges after each of her pregnancies, but found that it did not become easier over time. In fact, she described each subsequent episode as increasingly difficult. “From my experience, each postpartum depression gets increasingly harder,” she admitted.

Despite the severity of her struggles, her desire to connect with her children motivated her to persevere. “I just wanted to meet my kids, though, so badly, so I kept going,” she shared. She elaborated on how, after the birth of her third child, she felt a profound disconnect from reality.

The Shift into Psychosis

Describing the profound change she underwent, Morissette stated, “Basically, I became another person.” She likened the experience to a combination of hormonal fluctuations, possibly akin to menopausal shifts, compounded by severe depression and relentless, harrowing thoughts. “All the hormones are all over the place. There’s some version of menopausal flux, combined with depression, invasive thoughts that are so harrowing, terrible, ceaseless,” she explained.

Morissette also suggested that the term “postpartum activity” might be more fitting than “postpartum depression” for some individuals, as depression may not encompass the full spectrum of symptoms experienced. She detailed how her timeline for seeking help shortened with each child: waiting over a year after her first, eight months after her second, and just three days after her third, recognizing the pattern and her need for immediate support.

Navigating Life Amidst Secret Struggles

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morissette continued with her tour dates, managing professional responsibilities and financial matters while secretly battling her mental health. “I still showed up. I dipped into psychosis,” she admitted, characterizing the period as “a wild ride.” Despite maintaining an outward appearance of control, she confessed to feeling “completely out of control” internally.

The artist, known for hits like “Ironic,” married Treadaway in 2010. Previously, she was engaged to actor Ryan Reynolds for three years before their separation in 2007.

Seeking Help and Recovery

Morissette’s willingness to discuss her experience highlights the critical importance of recognizing and addressing postpartum mental health challenges. Her journey underscores that these conditions can be severe and deeply impact an individual’s sense of self and reality. Seeking timely professional help is crucial for navigating these difficult periods and supporting recovery.