Thesis on "Postpartum Depression and Its Treatment"

Thesis 5 pages (1628 words) Sources: 5 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

postpartum depression and its treatment. Postpartum depression occurs in many women after childbirth, and they often do not seek treatment. However, postpartum depression can be successfully treated, and there is ongoing study to understand why it is so prevalent among new mothers.

Postpartum (after birth) depression is quite common, even though it is relatively recently identified as a problem. Postpartum depression is the feeling of sadness or emptiness that interferes with day-to-day activities and these feelings continue for more than a few days. It is very common for women to feel this way after childbirth. One writer notes, "The postpartum period is associated with a higher vulnerability for depression. Studies have estimated that within a few days of childbirth between 26 and 85% of new mothers experience the maternity 'blues,' a relatively mild syndrome that usually remits within a few days" (Simonds, 2006, p. 28). However, up to 22% of new mothers can develop more serious symptoms that can lead to acute depression that can last much longer than the "blues."

While postpartum depression is a real psychological disorder that has been studied and researched, there is little understanding about what irregularities in the neurotransmitters cause the disorder. Expert Simonds continues, "The research suggests that psychosocial risk factors, including social support, stressful or adverse life events, marital instability, health problems in infants, and unwanted pregnancy, contribute to increased vulnerability for postpartum depression" (Simonds, 2006, p. 28). There is a belief that hormones and hormone imbalances play a part in postpartum depression, and of course, hormones do alter during pregnancy, which may make some women more prone to the disorder.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression? They can vary, and many of them are the same as regular depression. The new mother may feel tired due to lack of sleep and new, disrupted sleeping patterns. She may cry, become moody, lose her appetite, feel scared, sad, or overwhelmed. All of these things are normal, and represent the "baby blues" that so many young mothers feel after they give birth. However, postpartum depression adds feelings of disinterest in the baby, and the mother may have thoughts of harming herself and/or the baby (Editors). If these feelings occur, the mother is probably suffering from postpartum depression, and she should seek treatment immediately.

What causes postpartum depression? There are actually few studies that have delved deeply into the causes of this disorder. Some believe hormones play a part in the disease, and others believe that genetic factors may be a cause. There can also be contributing factors such as a history of depression, marital problems, socioeconomic problems, and a lack of support and/or friendships that can lead to the disorder. In addition, some studies indicate that single women, minority women, and low-income women all suffer more from postpartum depression (Grote & Bledsoe, 2007). Women suffering from the disease often feel as if they are "isolated, trapped, and misunderstood" (Mason, Rice & Records, 2005), but there have been surprisingly few studies of women who are actually suffering from postpartum depression. These three researchers did a study and discovered that women who have been abused often suffer from postpartum depression. Their conclusion was, "The normal developmental event of childbearing contributes to the recall of abuse and sets the stage for postpartum depression" (Mason, Rice & Records, 2005). Thus, women who have been abused, even if they have dealt with it or pushed the memories aside may suffer more from postpartum depression when childhood memories are triggered during childbirth. They acknowledge that more study into postpartum depression must occur to fully understand the disorder, and studies should focus on women who are actually suffering from the disorder during the study.

There is another aspect of postpartum depression that is not often addressed, and that is the effect it can have on the newborn. Postpartum depression can cause the baby to suffer from more crying, "behavior problems, delays in language development, and problems with mother-child bonding" (Editors). If the mother is suffering from postpartum depression, it is a very good idea to have another caregiver or the spouse available to help care for the baby, and for the mother to seek treatment as soon as possible, so these problems with the baby do not have time to develop.

In some cases, postpartum depression can worsen into postpartum psychosis, which is a much more debilitating and serious form of the disease. It usually starts about two weeks after the baby is born, and the symptoms can include rapid mood swings, seeing things that are not really there, confusion, and attempting to harm the baby or herself (Editors). It often occurs in women with a history of bipolar disorder or other mental health disorders (Editors). It can be extremely dangerous, and in this case, medical treatment is a necessity. To show how dangerous postpartum psychosis can be, the story of Andrea Yates comes to mind. In a well-known case, on June 20, 2001, Yates "drowned her five children in the bathtub and told the police detectives that she 'was a bad mother and expected to be punished.' Yates had a history of two suicide attempts and had been hospitalized both times with diagnoses of postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis" (Abrams & Curran, 2007). There have been many other highly publicized cases of women suffering from this disorder harming their babies, and actress Brooke Shields publicly announced her fight with the disorder to bring public attention to it and the women who suffer from it.

Treatment for postpartum depression can vary. Commonly, postpartum depression is treated with antidepressants, but if a woman is nursing, that may not be a good idea. Simonds continues, "Although the research currently shows that there are no short-term effects of antidepressants passed to children in utero or through breast milk, the long- term effects are not known" (Simonds, 2006, p. 102). If the depression is severe, or the woman has a history of mental illness, it may be more important to control the depression with antidepressants. However, in many cases, true therapy with a professional psychologist is the best way to uncover the cause of the depression and the best way to conquer it. This is not a short-term treatment, and often, it can continue outside the therapist's office, as well. Author Simonds notes, "Often the therapist will refer the client to other agencies, groups, or community resources either as an adjunct to psychotherapy or, when appropriate, as the sole source of support for the client after therapy has terminated" (Simonds, 2006, p. 136).

One of the problems with postpartum depression and treatment is that often women are ashamed or embarrassed to admit they might be suffering from it. Three researchers who looked into the phenomenon of postpartum depression note, "Because childbirth is supposed to be joyful, a woman felt confused, embarrassed, and guilty if she did not conform to the happy maternal stereotype, and so she kept her gloomy feelings to herself'" (Mason, Rice & Records, 2005). They also note that women tend to believe in the myth they will give birth to "perfect" infants and will immediately turn into "perfect" mothers, as well, and this can keep them from admitting that they are actually feeling out of sorts and depressed (Mason, Rice & Records, 2005). Thus, they may not seek treatment for the disease until it has progressed, and that, as shown, can harm the baby as well as the mother.

Another treatment option for at least some women may be to develop a more optimistic attitude during pregnancy. Two other researchers found that optimism helped many women control or manage their depression after giving birth. They note, "For example, in a prospective study of 75 pregnant women, optimism moderated the tendency to become depressed after the stressful life event… READ MORE

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