Free Essays on Postpartum Depression

In this paper I plan to discuss the types of depressions associated with postpartum depression listed in the article. I will use examples cited in the article. I will also include observations and information on depression obtained from the text book as well as the instructor. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect up to eighty percent of new mothers. It is a mild depression that new mothers can experience up to one year after giving birth. If left untreated it can have devastating effects on the mother, child and society. Even though a great deal of research has been done in this area, there is still no universal agreement on what causes it or how it should be treated. Usually, about three to four days after a new baby has arrived, there is an emotional let down which usually goes away in about two weeks. This is a normal result from having a child. The connection to the fetus is severed both emotionally and physically. There is a surge and drop in hormones which can cause a woman to be on an emotional roller coaster. This usually results in feelings of inadequacy as both a woman and mother. Loss of interest in normal day to day activity as well as impaired concentration and anxiety are present. A feeling of helplessness and constantly being lost is hard to get over. It is especially dangerous if underlying conditions were present beforehand. This can also have a triggering effect and lead to future types of illnesses. There is a medical distinction made between the diagnosis of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. There are some emotional reactions to a new mom that may signify depression; however it is not as severe as postpartum psychosis. For example, a mother might have wrong and potentially dangerous thoughts, but she will not act on them. She will be able to recognize the consequences.... Free Essays on Postpartum Depression Free Essays on Postpartum Depression Introduction What is Postpartum Depression Having a baby should be one of the happiest and most important events in a woman’s life. However, although life with a new baby can be both thrilling and rewarding, it can also be a difficult and quite stressful task. Most women make the transition without great difficulty, yet some women experience considerable complexity that may manifest itself as a postpartum psychiatric disorder (O’hara, Hoffman, Philips, which are known as baby blues, go away fairly quickly. But when they do not go away or rather they get worse, a woman may be experiencing the effects of postpartum depression (PPD). This is a serious condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes and that requires prompt treatment from a health care provider. According to Mauthner, (1999) postpartum depression occurs when women are unable to experience, express and validate their feelings and needs within supportive, accepting and non-judgmental interpersonal relationships and cultural co ntexts. Postpartum psychiatric illness was initially characterized as a group of disorders specifically linked to pregnancy and childbirth and thus was considered diagnostically distinct from other types of psychiatric illness. It has long been thought that the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for the onset of psychiatric disorders and adjustment difficulties in women (Campbell & Cohn, 1991). The link between reproductive status and depressive illness is further evidenced by the high frequency of depression during the premenstrual phase, and the immediate postpartum period (Yonkers, 1995). As one of the major physical, psychological, ... Free Essays on Postpartum Depression In this paper I plan to discuss the types of depressions associated with postpartum depression listed in the article. I will use examples cited in the article. I will also include observations and information on depression obtained from the text book as well as the instructor. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect up to eighty percent of new mothers. It is a mild depression that new mothers can experience up to one year after giving birth. If left untreated it can have devastating effects on the mother, child and society. Even though a great deal of research has been done in this area, there is still no universal agreement on what causes it or how it should be treated. Usually, about three to four days after a new baby has arrived, there is an emotional let down which usually goes away in about two weeks. This is a normal result from having a child. The connection to the fetus is severed both emotionally and physically. There is a surge and drop in hormones which can cause a woman to be on an emotional roller coaster. This usually results in feelings of inadequacy as both a woman and mother. Loss of interest in normal day to day activity as well as impaired concentration and anxiety are present. A feeling of helplessness and constantly being lost is hard to get over. It is especially dangerous if underlying conditions were present beforehand. This can also have a triggering effect and lead to future types of illnesses. There is a medical distinction made between the diagnosis of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. There are some emotional reactions to a new mom that may signify depression; however it is not as severe as postpartum psychosis. For example, a mother might have wrong and potentially dangerous thoughts, but she will not act on them. She will be able to recognize the consequences....