Ppd Research Paper

Postpartum Depression Report

Postpartum Depression is a mood disorder that affects 1 in 7 women following the birth of a child (may also occur after miscarriage or still birth). While it is normal for women to experience the “baby blues”- feeling stressed, sad, lonely and tired after the birth of their child, PPD is a much more serious condition. Unlike the baby blues, it does not go away on its own and the symptoms can last for months on end and cause serious problems for the mother and her baby if left untreated, because it makes it harder for her to lead a normal day-to-day life and affects her ability to care for her child. PDD can also affect men, though it is much less common. PPD affects about 10% of men, and their symptoms are often slightly different than women and are often harder to diagnose.
Although there is no strict cause of PPD, there are various physical, emotional and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of PPD in women. PPD may be triggered by hormonal changes (the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones drop dramatically after childbirth) along with changes in blood pressure, immune system and metabolism that most women experience after having a child. PPD can also be caused by the lifestyle changes that come with having a child, such as disrupted sleep, fatigue, stress and the overwhelming responsibility that comes with being a mother. Many women are shaken by their new role as a mom and often cannot cope with the changes that motherhood brings. There are also certain factors that increase a woman’s chance of developing PPD, such as: a history of depression, an unwanted pregnancy, an unsupportive spouse, a traumatic experience during pregnancy (such as the death of a loved one) and financial troubles. However, that does not necessarily mean that the woman will develop PDD, it just means that her chances are higher than someone who does not have these problems.
In men, PDD is mostly caused by the changes in lifestyle after having a baby and hormonal shifts. The emotional state of the mom can take a toll on men. If his partner is depressed, a man is more likely to develop PPD. According to Dr. Will Courtenay, the founder of PostpartumMen, 50% of men whose partners have postpartum depression are also depressed. The other major reason for PPD in men is the change in the relationship dynamic when a child comes into a family. The focus changes from strengthening and maintaining the couple’s bond, to taking care of the child. This may cause the father to feel lonely and rejected because he feels that he has lost his partner’s emotional support. Men also experience hormone changes after a baby is born, their estrogen levels increase and testosterone levels drop. Some psychologists suggest that the rapid change in hormones may be a cause of PDD. In women, the symptoms of PPD include: loss of pleasure/interest in most activities, decreased sex drive, major changes in eating habits, anxiety and/or panic attacks, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, severe mood swings, uncontrollable sadness and crying , fear of being alone with your child, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and −in severe cases− suicidal thoughts. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), PPD is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder, so in order for it to be diagnosed, signs of major depressive disorder must develop (in addition to symptoms of PPD). A psychiatrist may also ask their patients to complete a depression-screening questionnaire to help with the diagnoses. 90% of the time, PPD can be treated if the patients seek help. PPD may be treated through counselling and anti-depressants .Counselling helps with treatment because it allows the patient to voice their concerns to a mental health professional, which allows them to find better ways to cope with their feelings and realistically solve problems. Anti-depressants are proven to help with PPD, however many women avoid them because they are breastfeeding and do not want to harm their child. However, multiple studies have shown that there is very little risk to the baby with most anti-depressants that are prescribed for PPD. If a woman needs an anti-depressant, her psychiatrist will carefully chose one that will be most likely to help her and pose very little risk to her child. In men, the symptoms of PPD include: feeling of hopelessness and pessimism, lost interest in leisure activities (including sex), fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability and consistent physical symptoms such headaches and chronic pain. Men with PPD are more likely to display destructive behaviour such as abuse of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving and infidelity. It is important for men to seek treatment for PPD, as multiple studies have shown that a father with PDD has a huge impact on the psychological, social and mental development of the child. Treatments for PPD in men are very similar to those for women- talk therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy, along with anti-depressants (if necessary) and moderate improvements in diet and exercise regime will treat PPD in most cases. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that affects both men and women. Any new mother or father who feels that they might be suffering from PPD must seek help immediately. PPD can be successfully treated if the patient seeks the help that they need. Although there are certain factors that increase your chances of developing PPD, any new parent is at risk- regardless of class, race, gender, ethnicity or culture.
Works Cited Page http://www.apa.org/pi/women/resources/reports/postpartum-dep.aspx?item=2 http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/5-damaging-myths-about-postpartum-depression/ http://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/postpartum-depression-topic-overview http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/can-men-get-post-partum-depression/2011/03/27 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546/DSECTION=causes http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007215.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16601631

Cited: Page http://www.apa.org/pi/women/resources/reports/postpartum-dep.aspx?item=2 http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/5-damaging-myths-about-postpartum-depression/ http://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/postpartum-depression-topic-overview http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/can-men-get-post-partum-depression/2011/03/27 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546/DSECTION=causes http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007215.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16601631