Postpartum Major Depression Essay

Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbearing with an estimated prevalence of 19.2% in the first three months after delivery (1). Depressive episodes (major and mild) may be experienced by approximately half of women during the first postpartum year (1). Characterized by depressed mood, loss of pleasure or interest in daily activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, irritability, sleep and eating disturbances (2), its etiology is multi-faceted and complex (3;4).

Thesis: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can greatly effect new mothers. Knowing how to recognize their symptoms and treating it can greatly increase chances of a healthy, happy living.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) categorizes postpartum depression as a subtype to major depression and has specifiers to the onset to categorize an episode of major depression that begins 4 weeks postpartum. According to the (DSM-IV) a person who suffers from major depressive disorder must have depression symptoms such as either have a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. This mood must represent a change from the person 's normal social, occupational, educational or other important functioning. These functions must also be negatively impaired by the change in mood.

This journal article focuses on postpartum depression and how it differentiates from other disorders. This paticuarl article however focuses on defining the different types of depression within this catagorey and looks into clinical involvement as well as recognsisng risk elements and sysmtoms that allow it to be characterized from other mood and anxiety disorders. Beck (2006) finds that persons who where most at risk of this disorder most commently had stressful lives, with a history of mental illness. This article also concludes that postpartum depression can lead into server physosi, which is in need of immediate intervention and that this mental state can lead women to be dangerous to themselves of there children and clearly states that they should never be left alone. Overall this article is paticually usuful as a researcher as it clearly describes the differences in distinguishing the types of depression as well as the servierty of postpartum depression which can be underrecognsied.

Postpartum depression, which is the most prevalent of all maternal depressive disorders, is said to be the hidden epidemic of the 21st century. (1) Despite its high prevalence rate of 10-15% and increased incidence, postpartum depression often goes undetected, and thus untreated. (2) Nearly 50% of postpartum depression cases are untreated. As a result, these cases are put at a high risk of being exposed to the severe and progressive nature of their depressive disorder. (3) In other words, the health conditions of untreated postpartum depression cases worsen and progress to one of their utmost stages, and they are: postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum panic disorder, postpartum post traumatic stress, and postpartum psychosis.

The birthing process generally leaves women with overwhelming joy and happiness. However, some women do experience a period of postpartum blues lasting for a few days or at most a couple of weeks but goes away with the adjustment of having a baby (Postpartum Depression, 2013). A condition called Postpartum Depression Disorder (PPD) leaves a dark gray cloud over 10-20% of woman after birth that is recognized in individuals 3 weeks to a year after the delivery of their baby (Bobo & Yawn, 2014). PPD leaves new mothers feeling lonely, anxious, and hopeless (Bobo at el, 2014). Postpartum Depression is a cross cutting disorder that can affect any woman after the delivery of a baby regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, or education level (Postpartum Depression, 2013). Although this disorder affects more than 10% of women the article Concise Review for Physicians and Other Clinicians: Postpartum Depression reports that less than half of women with PPD are actually diagnosed with this condition (Bobo at el, 2014). It is important that postpartum women and their support systems receive education on what PPD consist of and ways to recognize the signs and symptoms of PPD so that a diagnosis is not overlooked. Early diagnosis is important because early recognition and treatment of the disorder yields for better results when treating individuals with PPD. In this paper I will deliver information about PPD based on recent literature,

You can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems, and set realistic goals. When you take antidepressants your doctor may recommend that the only medication you take during this time. Another treatment used for postpartum depression would be Electroconvulsive therapy. According to staff “If your postpartum depression is severe and does not respond to medication, ECT may be recommended. During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of psychosis and depression, especially when other treatments have failed. ”If your postpartum depression is severe and does not respond to medication, ECT may be recommended. During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of psychosis and depression, especially when other treatments have

The article “Postpartum Depression” written by Sara Thurgood, Dr. Daniel M. Avery MD, and Dr. Lloyd Williamson, is engrossing and informatively written. Postpartum depression (PPD) is becoming an increasingly common issue among women after childbirth. PPD remains the most common perinatal psychiatric disorder, women are at greatest risk during the first year after giving birth. “Postpartum Depression” discusses what PPD is, how to treat it, and how a mother’s PPD affect her child’s development. This is a summary of what the authors of “Postpartum Depression” include in their article.

Inventions with females that have postpartum depression can be telephone counseling’s, group counseling, home visiting, massage therapy and interactive coaching. According to Legar, “various interventions have been studied and one that has shown promise is the social support delivered by peers.” The support of family is great for the person with postpartum depression it can help her feel loved and secured. The family that lives with someone that has PPD has to learn how to cope and handle the baby while the mother gets taken care of. It’s important that the significant other or the person taking care of the baby understand what is happening to the person with PPD. Group counseling can benefit the mother and let her know that she is not alone.

Consequently, the treatment for postpartum depression is more intense than that for the baby blues. Among the many treatments, many mothers undergo intense counseling, take antidepressants, or even experience hormone therapy ((3)).

Mothers who have brought into this world a blessing have been preparing themselves for a big change in their life. They have been learning and educating themselves about how to be a good mother. Many mothers find it really hard to transition from being an independent woman without children to becoming a mother (Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh, 2015). Adapting to motherhood can be a drastic change, and usually creates challenges that lead to feeling overwhelmed (Leger & Letourneau, 2015). When a newly mother begins experiencing stress or becomes emotional then there can be a possibility that they can encounter Postpartum Depression (Leger et al., 2015). Postpartum depression can be seen and experienced in many different ways, it all varies on every mother (Corrigan et al., 2015). Many different mental health issues can be seen including baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the most serious, postpartum psychosis (Tam & Leslie, 2001).

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and serious illness that affects 14% of women post childbirth.1 PPD is thought to evolve from neuroendocrine changes, such as pregnancy stress and personality predisposition.2 Women with PPD are likely to report symptoms that affect their physical functionality such as tiredness, headache, musculoskeletal problems, mastitis, perineal pain and dysuria.3 These symptoms make them prime candidates for Physical Therapy. There are also many psychosocial issues that coincide with PPD that can negatively impact

This journal article provides an overview of understanding the needs of women with postnatal depression. The author states the importance of early detection of postnatal depression. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends to assess the pregnant women during their first contact with healthcare professionals in primary care services and should be assessed again in the postnatal period, at around four to six weeks and at three to four months. The article also mentions the healthcare professionals should be able to differentiate between mild and severe forms of the condition and between clinical depression and normal adjustments to the change. Healthcare professionals need to remain alert to the different signs of indicating

Most people think postnatal women are happy because of the new baby who just arrived. Unfortunately, the majority of postnatal women are often depressed. postnatal depression is more common than you might think. Although postnatal depression is very common disorder, most of the women who suffer from it do not tell anyone about their feelings. It could be because of the society forestation that all new mothers are happy, or because they do not actually know what postnatal depression is and whether they have it or not? This paper will define postnatal depression, display its level, and discuss its types.

Postpartum mood disorders is defined as a spectrum of illness including postpartum blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The postpartum blues are extremely common and no specific treatment is usually needed. Postpartum depression is less common and may significantly impact both the health of the mother and baby. Postpartum psychosis is extremely rare with clinical features including mania, psychotic thoughts, severe depression, and other thought disorders, and requires hospitalization. This paper will focus on reviewing and discussing postpartum depression.