Clare Dolman

• Dolman has publicly identified herself as having Bipolar I disorder. She was already living with a bipolar diagnosis before the birth of her daughter, when she later experienced postpartum psychosis. [3][2]

• Dolman has described experiencing postpartum psychosis after the birth of her daughter. Soon after giving birth she began experiencing hallucinations, and because she already had a bipolar disorder diagnosis, she and her husband recognized within days that she needed psychiatric help. She spent five weeks in hospital. [4][3]

• Dolman took lithium for five years before her first pregnancy and has described it as having kept her well. She stopped taking it when planning that pregnancy and, after developing postpartum psychosis, stopped breastfeeding so that she could restart lithium. [4][3]
• For her second pregnancy, she again remained off lithium but made detailed plans with psychiatrists and arranged additional support after the birth. She chose not to breastfeed so she could restart lithium immediately, and her husband helped with night feeds so she could protect her sleep. [3]

• Dolman has said that she never lost her bond with her daughter during her postpartum illness and quickly re-established a routine of caring for her after returning home from hospital. She later described having a healthy postnatal period after the birth of her second child. [3]

• Dolman has used both her research and lived experience to improve information and support around bipolar disorder, pregnancy and postpartum psychosis. She has helped run Bipolar and Pregnancy workshops for women and their partners facing treatment decisions around having children. [3]
• She also co-chairs Bipolar UK's Bipolar Commission and has held leadership roles with Bipolar UK, Action on Postpartum Psychosis and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. [1][5]

“I never lost the bond with my daughter and, once home, quickly re-established a routine of caring for her.”

— Clare Dolman [3]