Postpartum depression, a depressive state that can begin in four weeks, and in some cases up to 12 months, after childbirth (postpartum), is the most prevalent complication arising from childbirth affecting at least 15 percent of postpartum women (Del Rosario, G. A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. D., 2013). Although it is generally a very mild complication (many call the most mild type ‘baby blues’ which has an incidence rate of 80 percent), it can become a more serious problem, as in Andrea Yates case (Del Rosario, G. A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. D.). Andrea Yates had a severe type of postpartum depression called postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis, which affects one or two in every 1,000 postpartum women, is when an underlying bipolar disorder …show more content…
A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. D.). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a short, 10 item questionnaire that is self-reported by the mother (White, G., 2008). Responses are numbers from zero to three, zero being the least and three being the most, that makes the lowest score possible a zero and the highest score being a 30 (White, G.). If the mother scores a number higher than 12, or gives a positive answer to the self-harm question, more testing will follow (Del Rosario, G. A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. D.). Other modalities exist, such as the Center for Epidemioloic Studies of Depression instrument (CES-D), the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), although none should be used exclusively to diagnose postpartum depression (Del Rosario, G. A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. …show more content…
Many treatments exist, such as the expected psychotherapy, behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, and medicines, such as antidepressants and hormonal therapy, to the less used like acupuncture and massage, and bright light therapy (Del Rosario, G. A., Chang, A., & Lee, E. D.). Bright light therapy uses exposure to either daylight or a certain type of artificial light to help with depression of all types, including postpartum. When using bright light therapy (BLT) on women who suffers from postpartum depression, the results were proven to be as effective as, and safer than, pharmacotherapy (Krysta, K., Krzystanek, M., Janas-Kozik, M., & Krupka-Matuszczyk, I.,
Today postpartum psychosis is known to be a serious psychiatric crisis that affects one to two women per thousand in the first few weeks following childbirth. Women tend to experience visual, aural, and olfactory delusions and hallucinations that enables a risk of self-harm,
A 38-year-old single woman, Gracie, was referred for treatment of depressed mood. She spoke of being stressed out due to conflicts at work, and took a bunch of unknown pills. She reported feeling a little depressed prior to this event following having ovarian surgery and other glandular medical problems. She appeared mildly anxious and agitated. She is frequently tearful, but says she does not have any significant sleep or appetite disturbance. She does, however, endorse occasional suicidal ideation, but no perceptual disturbances and her thoughts are logical and goal-directed.
Knowing the symptoms of postpartum depression is critical for a young mother's discovering that she may have the depress...
A Woman's Struggle Captured in The Yellow Wallpaper Pregnancy and childbirth are very emotional times in a woman's life and many women suffer from the "baby blues." The innocent nickname for postpartum depression is deceptive because it down plays the severity of this condition. Although she was not formally diagnosed with postpartum depression, Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935) developed a severe depression after the birth of her only child (Kennedy et. al. 424).
The PHQ-9 is a widely utilized tool in Primary Care to assist clinicians with the detection, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring of severity of depression in adults (Kroenke, Spitzer, Williams 2001). It is a nine item self-administered questionnaire based on the Diagnostic Statistic Manual IV (DSM-IV) criteria for diagnosing depression in adults. There is a tenth question at the end regarding effect, if any, on functioning. It has also been used in many medical specialty populations for adults presenting with, or suspicion of depressive symptoms. It may be completed in clinic by the patient and takes two to five minutes (Nease et al. 2003). It is reviewed by the clinician and interpretation of the score is made using the algorithm that accompanies the questionnaire in 1-3 minutes. The expense of the paper is the only cost. The training is simply the clinician becoming familiar with the questions and the scoring.
Pregnancies are often correlated with the assumption that it will bring happiness to the household and ignite feelings of love between the couple. What remains invisible is how the new responsibilities of caring and communicating with the baby affects the mother; and thus, many women experience a temporary clinical depression after giving birth which is called postpartum depression (commonly known as postnatal depression) (Aktaş & Terzioğlu, 2013).
In conclusion, postpartum depression is now widely recognized as distinct from short-term “baby blues” anxiety. Rather than hiding their symptoms from embarrassment and shame, women can now confidently seek treatment, especially important since postpartum depression have a negative effect on both mother and infant. For this reason, it is so important to identify risk factors, and provide prompt treatment to mothers suffering from postpartum depression. Treatment options that include therapy, and occasionally antidepressants or herbal supplements, are successful in treating this disorder. For mothers who want to approach treatment in a more natural way, breastfeeding combined with exercise has been proven to reduce the effects of postpartum depression.
From mild to severe knowing of conditions and their specific symptoms is the most straightforward way to diagnose the problem areas. The types of depression cover major, melancholia, psychotic, antenatal and postnatal, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, dysthymic disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Major depression involves low mood and/or loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities (“Types of depression”). Melancholia, a severe form of depression where many of the physical symptoms of depression are present. One of the major changes is that the person starts to move more slowly. They are also more likely to have a depressed mood that is characterised by complete loss of pleasure in everything, or almost everything (“Types of depression”). Psychotic depression, can lose touch with reality and experience psychosis. This can involve hallucinations or delusions such as believing they are bad or evil, or that they 're being watched or followed. They can also be paranoid, feeling as though everyone is against them or that they are the cause of illness or bad events occurring around them (“Types of depression”). Antenatal and postnatal depression affects women during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth. The causes of depression at this time can be complex and are often the result of a combination of factors (“Types of depression”). Bipolar disorder used to be
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a period of depression that follows childbirth and lasts more than two weeks. It is experienced by up to 15% of women in the first three postpartum months (Camp, 2013). PPD is well represented in all ages, races, and cultures. The causes of PPD are currently unknown. There are many factors that place patients at a higher risk of developing PPD. These factors include history of PPD, depression during pregnancy, family strains, anxiety, and lack of support.
This paper introduces a 35-year-old female who is exhibiting signs of sadness, lack of interest in daily activities and suicidal tendencies. She has no interest in hobbies, which have been very important to her in the past. Her lack of ambition and her suicidal tendencies are causing great concern for her family members. She is also exhibiting signs of hypersomnia, which will put her in dangerous situations if left untreated. The family has great concern about her leaving the hospital at this time, fearing that she may be a danger to herself. A treatment plan and ethical considerations will be discussed.
After giving birth, women will have hormonal oscillations (Rosequist). In the meanwhile, their bodies are getting back to their normal state, however if that “blues” does not go away, it can evolve in a deep depression. As she recalls, saying: “And yet I cannot be with him, it make me so nervous”(Gilman), it is obvious that Post-Partum depression is the cause of her poor attachment with the child; the mother can be hazardous to the baby; mood swing occur, and in extremes circumstances, about 1 in 1,000, it can bring psychotic indications (Hilts). If this condition if left untreated, it can cause serious psychological and physical damages. Treatment would include anti-depressants and therapy. This can also trigger other types of mental
Roca, Catherine. "Depression During and After Pregnancy." April 2005. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Online. http://www.4woman.gov/faq/postpartum.htm. (17 Nov. 2005)
My mother was diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD), also referred to as postnatal depression. This is a type of clinical depression which can affect women after childbirth. The cause of PPD is not well understood but hormonal changes, genetics, and major life event have been hypothesized as potential causes. Maternal depression has been shown to influence mothers’ interaction with her child, therefore the doctor thought it was necessary for further treatment. Many women recover with treatment such as a support group, counseling, or
Depression is the most common mental health disorder; it affects over 17 million American adults each year. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by at least four symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, weight, and psychomotor activity; decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, thoughts or attempts. “Women are approximately two times more likely than men to suffer from major depression” (Research Agenda for Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors in Women’s Health, 1996) and it has been called the most significant mental health risk for women. Women are more likely to suffer from depression during marriage than if single, unlike men who are more likely to suffer depression when single than married, and increases with the number of children in the house (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, p.317). There are many contributing factors to depression in women including but not limited to: hormonal, genetic, infertility, menopause, family responsibilities, gender roles, sexual abuse, work related issues, and financial problems. (National Institute of Mental Health, June 1999). Depression in women is mentally and physically painful but has treatment options available.
Introduction Depression has been ranked fourth on the list of urgent health problems worldwide (Malay, Asish, Sukendu, Ranadip & Sarmila, 2012). With that being said, various scales of measurements have been developed in order to determine a reliable diagnosis. One of these scales includes the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (also known as the HAM-D or HRDS). The Hamilton Depression Scale, published by Max Hamilton, is the most widely used depression-rating scale in the world (Malay, Asish, Sukendu, Ranadip & Sarmila, 2012).