Postpartum Psychosis

1078 Words3 Pages

You carry it with you for nine months. After those nine months, what you produced is a beautiful baby. Though you are happy with the thought of spending the next eighteen years watching this tiny person grow, you can’t help but feel like something is missing. There are many different types of depression in the world. The feeling of emptiness as described above could contribute to the diagnosis of postpartum depression. After having depression for several weeks, some mothers experience the sister disorder - psychosis. Psychiatrist Leslie Tam states that the term postpartum distress (PPD) is just an umbrella term for postpartum mental disorders. Subjects under this category are the well know baby blues (depression), anxiety, and in worst case scenarios, psychosis (Tam, 2001). Each element of PPD is different to each new mother and can be differentiated by the extent and symptoms of the condition. As we all know, the baby blues are what happens just a few days after giving birth. But when they persist for over a week, thats when one should consult with their doctor. Psychotherapist Karen Kleiman, founder and head of The Postpartum Stress Center in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, states that “ Full blown postpartum depression is more serious and persistent. The symptoms include feelings of guilt, fear, loneliness, helplessness, failure; crying jags; insomnia; loss of appetite; withdrawing from friends and family. Some women have panic attacks or suicidal thoughts, or both”. She then goes on to tell the difference from depression to psychosis: “Psychosis, suffered by an estimated 1 in 1,000 new mothers, is more mysterious. The woman may have periods when she acts -- and even feels -- calm and clear-thinking, but then suddenly becomes delusi... ... middle of paper ... .... (2003, August 6). Despite Recent Cases, Postpartum Depression, Psychosis Remain Misunderstood. The Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 1. Miller, K. (2009, February 2). Hormone Linked to Postpartum Depression. In www.webmd.com. Retrieved November 14, 2013 Sharma, V., Burt, V., & Ritchie, H. (2010, April 1). Drs. Sharma, Burt, and Ritchie Reply [Letter to the editor]. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(4). Retrieved November 17, 2013 Tam, L. W. (2001, November). What is postpartum depression? [Electronic version]. Network News, 26(6), pp. 4, 5. Watson, W. J., & Stewart, D. (2005). Postpartum Adjustment: And Helping Families Survive the First Year. Patient Care, 16(1), 58-59,61,64. Wisner, Katherine L., Barbara L. Parry, and Catherine M. Pointek. (2002) "Postpartum Depression." New England Journal of Medicine 347: 194-99. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.

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