Depression Essay

The impact of postpartum depression causes a mother to frequently feel exhausted, emotionally empty, and guilty because she cannot show love to her baby. The mother feels overwhelmed by feelings of harming her baby and may lack the emotional energy to relate to her newborn, which prevents her from perceiving the baby’s attempts to communicate. Depressed mothers are less likely to play with, read to, or even breastfeed their baby and tend to be inconsistent in their care causing a disruption in the bonding process. Many mothers are embarrassed to get help out of shame. Postpartum depression also has an extremely high impact on the newborn. Katja Gaschler (2008) states, “three-month-old infants of depressed mothers look at their mothers less often and show fewer signs of positive emotion than do babies of mentally healthy mothers” (p. 65). Postpartum depression during the first few months of life may also cause negative effects on a child’s development including: social problems (difficulty establishing relationships, social withdrawal, and acting out destructively); behavioral problems (temper tantrums, sleep problems, hyperactivity, and aggression); cognitive problems (walking and talking late and learning difficulties); and emotional problems (low self-esteem and anxiety). The family as a whole is also greatly impacted by

"Men pray to the gods for health and they ignore that it is in their power to have it."

Millions of Americans suffer from clinical depression each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2017), 322 million people are affected by depression around the world. Concerning industrialized Western world countries, it remains as the number one psychological disorder affecting its population (WHO, 2017). Most clinicians begin primarily with prescribing either pharmacologic or psychotherapy interventions. With billions of dollars spent in revue on treating depression (Chisholm, Sweeny, and Sheehan, 2016), exercise used as treatment in reaction to mental illness is often overlooked by mainstream health care professionals. However, it has been proved by recent research exercise acts as both a preventive and reactive

Developing a secure attachment between mother and baby is critical in ensuring that the infant feels safe, secure and protected from harm (Benoit, 2004). It has been found that mothers with postpartum depression struggle to develop this relationship and as a result, display fewer positive parent-infant interactions (Paulson, Dauber & Leiferman, 2006); this consequently has a negative impact on

Anemia, Low birth weight, Preeclampsia, and Premature delivery are effects of postpartum depression during pregnancy (Mena 2016). Mothers’ who were going through postpartum depression during the first three months of the child’s life were seen to be irritable and less engaged (Field 2011). Inadequate caregiving is also a major effect of postpartum depression (Field 2011). Mothers who have postpartum depression are less likely to continue breastfeeding if it becomes difficult (Field 2011). Infant’s with sleep problems are often put into unsafe sleep practices because of a mother’s postpartum depression (Field 2011). Infants of mothers with postpartum depression are less likely to attend well doctor’s appointments (Field 2011). Safety practices are often violated when a mother has postpartum depression (Field 2011). Some mothers have thoughts of harming their infants during postpartum depression (Field 2011). They also can have a fear of being alone with their child (Field 2011). Mothers with postpartum depression are also known to use harsher punishments (Field 2011).

If left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with parents-child attachment and cause family problems later on in life. For mothers, untreated postpartum depression can last for months or up to years, sometimes becoming a chronic depressive disorder. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman 's risk of future episodes of major depression. For fathers, postpartum depression can have a ripple effect, causing emotional damage for everyone close to a new baby. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, “When a new mother is depressed, the risk of depression in the baby 's father may also increase”. New dads are already at a highly risk of depression, whether or not the mother is affected. Children of parents who have untreated postpartum depression are most likely to have emotional and behavior problems, such as sleeping and eating disorders, excessive crying, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And will also delay in language development.

The relationship between maternal depression and its’ impact on infant health has been studied extensively

Children of women diagnosed with PostPartum Depression are likely to have other problems (speech/growth delays, behavior problems, etc.)

Major Depressive Disorder or MDD is a very common clinical condition that affects millions of people every year. According to the Agency for Health Care Policy & Research, “ depression is under diagnosed & untreated by most medical doctors, despite the fact that it can almost always be treated successfully.

However, there are risk factors that may influence someone getting postpartum depression. “Younger mothers are at an increased risk for PPD compared to those who give birth later in life. Other factors that increase the risk a woman will experience PPD after giving birth include financial troubles, relationship problems with a spouse or partner, physical abuse, and tobacco use”. (Black & Tish). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “the drastic drop in the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, following childbirth may lead to chemical changes in the brain which can cause mood swings.” On top of this change in hormones the mother is recovering from childbirth and may be faced with physical exhaustion. Current research has demonstrated that a compilation of stressors such as biochemical, genetic, and psychosocial may attribute to the development of this mental disorder. Other risk factors for development of postpartum depression include symptoms of depression before or after pregnancy, bipolar disorder, medical complication during childbirth, and family history of postpartum depression. (2015 Postpartum) It is important to know the risk factors for postpartum

Regarding public health and associated concern, in the recent years, it has been observed that mental illness has a major impact on pregnant women and the postpartum period which has become a concern of public health lately. The aspect that associated with the pregnancy of women and their mental health that has brought this topic to the forefront is the fact that mental health problems like depression and anxiety have the probability to impact women twice as compared to men. The severity of the situation can be seen from the fact that depression is one of the main reasons of maternal mental illness during the childbearing age of women, which is approximately between the age group of 15 to 44 years. As a result of this to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), it contributes about 7% of the entire GBD for women of all age group (Leham, 2015).

According to a Mental Health America survey on public attitudes and beliefs about clinical depression and women’s attitude toward depression: More than one-half of women believe it is normal for a woman to be depressed after giving birth ,during menopause and is part of aging. Therefore seeking treatment is not necessary and denial to the fact plays an important role.

Gender differences do have an effect on depression. Girls are more affected with depression than boys because girls develop maturity earlier than boys. When young adolescence girls reach puberty they grow to become more self -conscious of their self- imagine than boys. Boys are more acceptable to their body change such as gaining weight or regaining muscles. In adolescence girls they seem to always compare themselves to others and their never satisfied with their appearance. This can lead to severe eating disorders

A mother who struggles with depression post-partum is likely to expose her baby to more harmful effects. Gerhardt (2015) states that the baby of a depressed mother can find it difficult to cope with or get over stress, or they may be more fearful (p. 21). These babies also may respond to others with depression themselves, as their mother may be neglectful in their care (Gerhardt, 2015, p. 36). One of the reasons for this is because of their cortisol levels, which can fluctuate situationally. However, in infants this can affect their development (Gerhardt, 2015, p. 83) as well as their immune system (Gerhardt, 2015, p. 118), and is evidence that a mother with depression can have a significant impact on her child well beyond when the depression occurs. Additionally, Gerhardt (2015) notes that, “When they grow up, these babies of depressed mothers are highly at risk of succumbing to depression themselves.” (p.

The term depression is widely misused in today’s society. All human beings experience periods in life where they are sad for a relatively short period of time, which is considered normal. Those who experience sadness for extended periods may be suffering from depression. Two terms used to reference the classifications of depression, are Major Depressive Disorder, and Dysthymia. Individual diagnosis of these classifications is dependent on the length of time, and severity of symptoms experienced by the individual. The causes for these depressive states can be due to genetics or the insufficient production of neurotransmitters, which provide the brain with the data necessary to regulate one's psychological well being. Two examples