In the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper"", written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, we're introduced to a woman who has a nervous breakdown while she is locked in a bedroom. While reading this story, we see that the narrator is hallucinating as she sees a lady in the wallpaper. Seeing the narrator from a psychological standpoint, the reader can see she is suffering from insanity - but upon further analysis of the book, it's evident that the woman isn't insane but is suffering with a postpartum psychosis.

             According to the American Psychological Association and under the guidelines written in the Diagnostic Statistic Manual V, postpartum psychosis is characterized by symptoms of agitation, confusion, and an inability to sleep or eat after child birth. It has been noted in some women suffering from postpartum psychosis that it may even be difficult to maintain a coherent conversation. Patients also have been noted in having "delusions, hallucinations, and an altered and impaired concept of reality, rapid mood swings, insomnia, and abnormal or obsessive thoughts."(APA 2000) .

             The description of the disorder, fits almost perfectly with what can be seen from the way the narrator behaves in "The Yellow Wallpaper"". Her descriptions of her actions and thoughts, along with what she sees in the wallpaper in her room can be interpreted as symptoms of postpartum psychosis. Furthermore, the reader is aware that the narrator has given birth recently, as she mentions, "it is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous"(19). This piece of information is important in diagnosing her with this condition. Along with just having had a baby, there are various other indicators that the narrator is suffering from postpartum psychosis.

             In the short story, she also shows signs of extreme agitation and abnormal thoughts. At the beginning of the story, the narrator reveals that "she gets unreasonably angry with John sometimes" " (17) and that "she is sure she never used to be so sensitive" (17) she believes "it is due to [her] nervous condition"(17).