Thursday, September 14, 2006
Postpartum Depression - Have You Been Affected?
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is sometimes referred to as Postnatal Depression. PPD is a form of depression that affects certain women after giving childbirth. The term maternity blues (or baby blues), refers to a temporary state of mild mood swings that occurs in 80% of women after pregnancy. The maternity blues usually last somewhere between a few hours to possibly a week after having the baby. The symptoms of the baby blues can include: inability to sleep, panic attacks, irritability, inability to concentrate, headaches, or tearfulness. This is nothing to worry about as that is will pass.
Unfortunately, sometimes these mood swings are more severe. If you still suffer from these mood swings over a month after giving birth, your condition is referred to as Postpartum Depression. There have been many documented causes of PPD. Such causes include: depression or anxiety that occurred during pregnancy, low self-esteem, infant health problems, the stress of childcare, normal life stress, low social support, marital problems, temperament of your child, history of depression, being a single mother, having low economic (money) or societal status, or having an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. PPD occurs in only about 10% of women. In very extreme cases PPD can turn into Postpartum Psychosis (PPP), a condition characterized by postpartum women having a psychotic meltdown causing delusional periods or hallucinations. This is usually caused by rapid changes in hormones and overactive neurotransmitter activity. Do not worry, because PPP only occurs a mere 0.1-0.2% of women.
Postpartum Depression is not actually a mental illness, but more the need of resources or social support from others. Fortunately, PPD is treatable. Treatment involves focusing on helping mothers get what they need to properly care for their child. PPD is usually treated by the same means of treating clinical depression: the help of a mental health practitioner. PPD can cause mothers to have a less secure attachment to their child, usually causing inconsistent childcare. This can cause mental health issues for children later on in their lives. If you suffer from any of these problems, please get help before it becomes an overwhelming issue.
Unfortunately, sometimes these mood swings are more severe. If you still suffer from these mood swings over a month after giving birth, your condition is referred to as Postpartum Depression. There have been many documented causes of PPD. Such causes include: depression or anxiety that occurred during pregnancy, low self-esteem, infant health problems, the stress of childcare, normal life stress, low social support, marital problems, temperament of your child, history of depression, being a single mother, having low economic (money) or societal status, or having an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. PPD occurs in only about 10% of women. In very extreme cases PPD can turn into Postpartum Psychosis (PPP), a condition characterized by postpartum women having a psychotic meltdown causing delusional periods or hallucinations. This is usually caused by rapid changes in hormones and overactive neurotransmitter activity. Do not worry, because PPP only occurs a mere 0.1-0.2% of women.
Postpartum Depression is not actually a mental illness, but more the need of resources or social support from others. Fortunately, PPD is treatable. Treatment involves focusing on helping mothers get what they need to properly care for their child. PPD is usually treated by the same means of treating clinical depression: the help of a mental health practitioner. PPD can cause mothers to have a less secure attachment to their child, usually causing inconsistent childcare. This can cause mental health issues for children later on in their lives. If you suffer from any of these problems, please get help before it becomes an overwhelming issue.
