...Paternal Postpartum Depression Introduction Paternal postpartum depression is a concept that has, only recently, gained some recognition within the mental health community and among clinicians. Male depression and sadness are generally taboos cross culturally. Admitting to depressive symptoms may be considered a sign of weakness, carrying shame and degrading self-worth for men. Due to these stigmas, male depression is significantly under reported comparative to female depression. Defining and quantifying patterns of paternal postpartum depression are the foundation for providing support not only for new fathers, but the family unit as a whole. Statistical Analysis of Prevalence Evidence shows that there is a strong correlation between maternal postpartum depression and that in new fathers. According to one study, 24%-50% of men who experience postpartum depression have depressed partners (Melrose, 2010). Similar statistics have been reviewed in the referenced article Paternal postpartum depression: How can nurses begin to help? by Sherri Melrose. Many of these studies discuss the depressive symptoms of mothers and fathers within the first few months of parenthood. Maternal postpartum depression has been recorded in up to 19.7% of mothers within the first month of giving birth, and fathers are found to be at much greater risk in these cases (Melrose, 2010). Although most of the hormonal data related to pre- & post-natal depression are of female subjects, some...
Words: 907 - Pages: 4
...Mental illness is a range of mental health condition disorders that affect your mood and behaviour. Depression is a sign of weakness and change in mood that requires medical condition in emotional, physical, and behavioural symptoms you can and should be treated. Types of Depression is Major Depressive Disorder which is most common if people feel sad, hopeless, and lacks focus in their life. Seasonal Depression also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD that is common between the seasons of fall and spring. Postpartum Depression is only in women and is common during the women’s hormone level, after the birth of her child. Bereavement Depression is common after grieving of a loss and often takes weeks, months, or years to recover but,...
Words: 535 - Pages: 3
...Depression is a serious mental health condition that often goes undiagnosed. It is common to occasionally feel sad or down and out, but those with depression feel this way a majority of the time. People with severe depression can feel so hopeless that they often become suicidal. Depression interferes with daily life and causes pain for both the person and their family. Most people do not seek treatment, but for those who do, they can get better with medications and psychotherapy. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. It is caused by genetics, medications, biological, and cognitive factors. According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is the leading cause of disability...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...Postpartum Depression Anai Pineda March 10, 2014 I. Introduction In this report it is my intention to provide the reader with a better understanding of postpartum depression. To start off, it is necessary to understand that postpartum depression can be divided into three categories: postpartum blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. A comparison of these three disorders can be seen in figure 2. Some of the characteristics of postpartum depression include a change in appetite, feeling unable to love the baby, or even anger towards the baby. Cases of postpartum depression date back as far as the Middle Ages when “women who exhibited melancholy during or after childbirth were thought to be witches or victims of witchcraft (Sparks).” In today’s modern world we have learned to see past outdated beliefs in witchcraft and that is why “there is a growing movement to integrate mental health screening into routine primary care for pregnant and postpartum women and to follow up this screening with treatment or referral and with follow-up care (O’Hara and McCabe).” II. Disorder and Symptoms Baby blues encompasses the most common symptoms that new mothers may have after the arrival of their baby. These symptoms last only a few days to a couple of weeks and include mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, decreased concentration, and trouble sleeping. Postpartum depression “may appear to be the baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms are more intense...
Words: 1314 - Pages: 6
...Traci Thompson Postpartum Depression Postpartum Depression can be a moderate to severe form of depression that begins within three months following childbirth. (Coone and Mitterer, 2013, Ch.14 pg.493) This form of depression can have lasting effects on the family and child. A depressed mother can seriously retard her child’s rate of development (Cooper and Murray 2001). How does postpartum depression differ from “the baby blues”? What are the signs, symptoms, and treatment associated with postpartum depression? What are some of the lasting effects of this disorder? Roughly 13 percent of all women who give birth develop postpartum depression (Coone and Mitterer 2013 Ch. 14 pg. 493). How will this disorder affect the bonding and attachment necessary in the development of the newborn into childhood? The “baby blues” is a condition that is usually experienced by an estimated 25 – 50 percent of all women, (Coone and Mitterer 2013). It is a milder form that lasts 1 – 2 days following childbirth. Signs and symptoms of “baby blues” are similar to that of postpartum depression, such as irritability, difficulty with sleeping, loss of appetite, and trouble concentrating. These can be attributed to natural hormonal changes that occur following childbirth. However, postpartum depression can set in soon after childbirth, or develop gradually over a period of months, and can last longer and symptoms are more severe, in severe cases a mother can become suicidal and...
Words: 1019 - Pages: 5
...The case study is conducted on Brooke Shield an actress who suffers from postpartum depression, brought on after the birth of her child. Many women suffer from this illness causing them to have difficulties with bonding with their child, which in turn affects their everyday activities. Major DSM IV -TR Postpartum depression is defined as an intense, sustained and sometimes disabling depression effecting women after the birth of a child, causing hardship on families, effecting jobs, relationships. This condition usually starts during pregnancy and last several months after a child has been born. Postpartum depression affects proximally 10-15 % of women. Women who experience this condition normal treatment would consist of medication such as Paxil, Zoloft to help stabilize the disorder. Women who have a family history of mood disorders are at a higher risk. Postpartum depression is recognized through the DSM if signs of depression start to develop prior to the birth of a child. These signs would include depression throughout one’s day, no interest in activities, inability to sleep, weight change, loss of energy, thoughts of suicide, and death. History of Brook Shield Brooke Shields, model, and actress was born in 1965 in New York, after her parents got divorced she stayed with her mother, but her father remained involved in her life. She started her career as a baby that brought her to the center of public attention. Despite her popularity, her mother tried to provide...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...Postpartum depression, also known as PPD, affects approximately 12 to 20% of women worldwide (Papalia and Feldmen, 219). PPD is described as moderate to severe depression in a female after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later, but it usually occurs within the first four months after delivery. People who are most likely to report postpartum depressive symptoms are poorly educated women, young women, women who smoke and/or abuse alcohol and drugs, and unmarried women. There are numerous causes for postpartum depression. It may be bought on by the extreme changes new mothers face when assuming responsibility for a newborn. Another cause may be the high levels of certain hormones in a female’s body that can help prepare her for the stress of childbirth. Diabetic women with a low income are also known to suffer from PPD. Depressed mothers negatively affect children in many ways as well. Thankfully, there are ways of treating postpartum depression, such as medication and therapy. The exact causes of postpartum depression are unknown, but there are plenty of theories. PPD may be bought on by the intense lifestyle and emotional chances women deal with when there is a newborn to take care of. Some females just simply aren’t ready to take care of another human being besides themselves. This fact especially applies to first-time mothers and young women. Hormone levels have been known to change during and after pregnancy, which can affect a woman’s...
Words: 1611 - Pages: 7
...An analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper reveals that the main character was suffering from more than just post-partum depression, quite possibly a severe case of schizophrenia. While the reader may believe that the confinement was what had driven her into madness, a closer reading shows the narrator is already completely out of her mind and therefore unreliable from the very onset of the story. Right away the narrator tells us that her husband John doesn’t believe she’s sick. He says she has a “temporary nervous depression” and a “slight hysterical tendency.” The first could possible be a symptom of postpartum depression, which according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is defined by intense feelings of sadness, fear, anger, and anxiety that interfere with a new mother’s ability to function normally. If left untreated the condition worsens, but nowhere is there any mention of “hysterics.” If we examine the narrator’s journal entries we can easily see that her behavior is a bit more psychotic, even from the very beginning, than a diagnose of postpartum depression would permit. After the reader is filled in on John’s sentiments about the narrator’s current emotional state, she changes the subject as it appears the discourse of her condition upsets her. She then goes on to describe the strange old house where her and John have taken up residency. She describes the “delicious” gardens with “grape covered arbors,” and the dilapidated greenhouse...
Words: 266 - Pages: 2
...Postpartum Blues vs. Postpartum Depression Having a baby brings lots of emotions including lots of highs and lows, many life changes and physical changes in your body. The changing hormones combined with the stress of caring for a new born affect different people in different ways. ½ to 2/3rds of women experience “Baby Blues” and 10 -15% of women experience postpartum Depression. The chart below will help you understand each and know what to look for and what to do if you think you are experiences either of these. When in doubt always contact your health care provider. | Baby Blues or Postpartum Blues | Postpartum Depression | When Does It Start | The first few days after birth (generally 3rd or 4th day post-delivery) | Anytime up to one year after delivery | How Long Does It Last | From 10 days to several weeks | Lasts longer and is more severe than “baby blues” and needs help from health care provider to resolve | Symptoms | * Mood Changes * Weepiness or sadness * Anxiety * Lack of concentration * Feelings of dependency or inadequacy | * Excessive worrying and anxiety * Irritability * Persistent weepiness or sad mood * Inability to sleep, even when you are exhausted * Difficulty concentrating * Loss of Interest in activities you used to enjoy * Changes in appetite * Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby | Treatment | Talk about it. Take care of yourself by getting rest, support.Usually will resolve with support from friends...
Words: 299 - Pages: 2
...The Effects of Postpartum Depression Introduction / Background Postpartum Depression is a common mood disorder that affects ten to twenty percent of women in the United States during pregnancy and after child birth. Depression is a major public health concern that impact more women than men. There are three common categories of post partum depression. The most common and less harmful form of this disorder is known as the baby blues. Onset occurs within three to four days following child birth and usually end within a few hours or three to four days. Thirty to seventy five percent of women experience baby blues. Postpartum Depression affects ten to fifteen percent of women; onset occurs within twelve months of delivery and can last from a...
Words: 254 - Pages: 2
...relationships, while recognising areas that require work in order to fulfil my role. All names have been changed to protect confidentiality, as is the responsibility of any registered nurse (NMC 2008). Mental and emotional wellbeing in all family members is intrinsic to the wellbeing of children. The “Healthy Child Programme” (DH 2009) identifies the assessment and promotion of this area as a core part of the health visitor’s role. A common mental health problem that impacts on children is post-natal depression, affecting 10-15% of women (Royal College of Psychiatrists n.d.). Infants whose mothers have post-natal depression often have less positive life outcomes, as discussed in Every Child Matters (HM Treasury 2003). It can impact negatively on emotional, social and mental development, often demonstrated through behavioural problems (Wrate et al., 1985), and neurological problems (Dale, 1995). This can influence outcomes into adulthood. Moehler et al. (2006) discuss how post-natal depression can affect development and quality of maternal infant attachment, stating this may be what leads to negative impact on child development (Moehler et al., 2007), a view supported by Mason (2010). Murray et al. (1996a) discuss how the change in maternal child interaction as a consequence...
Words: 3248 - Pages: 13
...The article I picked focuses on different types of treatments, for women suffering from Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a major public health problem. Postpartum depression is defined as an episode of non-psychotic depression according to standardized diagnostic criteria with onset within 4 weeks to 12 months of childbirth (Fitelson, 2011).Some of the causes of postpartum depression after few weeks after delivery of the baby include being a single mother, childcare stress with new mothers, maternal neuroticism, and difficult infant temperament when the infant cries, low self-esteem because the new mother is not organized or well prepared, and anxiety. Medically there are obstetric and pregnancy complications that can...
Words: 427 - Pages: 2
...they do not go away or rather they get worse, a woman may be experiencing the effects of postpartum depression (PPD). Abrupt hormone withdrawal is the most obvious change in immediate postpartum, but clues to the mood disturbance may lie in the deregulation of neuroendocrine systems, including how hormones affect neurotransmitters and their actions within the brain. The baby blues are common for numerous reasons. The baby’s crying and the mother’s interrupted sleep and breast-feeding are enough to make any woman feel irritable if not overwhelmed. The onset of postpartum depression, on the other hand, is believed to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain; specifically shifts in hormone levels. According to postpartum Support International (PSI), the theory to date suggests that a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone following delivery is the culprit.1 Ovarian steroids play an important regulatory role in a women’s general sense of wellbeing. Studies have found significant positive correlations between the onset of PPD and postpartum withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone levels.2 Aside from estrogen’s many roles in our developmental health, it is also known to be a neuro-stimulant with anti-depressive effects. High levels of estrogen produce an imbalance in the system that aggravates symptoms of anxiety. On the other hand, low levels of estrogen can lead to episodes of depression.3 A...
Words: 959 - Pages: 4
...Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in new mothers two weeks to a year after giving birth. The causes of this has been linked to during pregnancy and after child birth a woman experiences a dramatic hormonal drop. The change in hormone levels is the leading cause of depression which is one of the major signs present in postpartum depression. Statistics show that one out of seven women will experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Only 600,000 people are diagnosed, leaving 800,000 to still be left untreated. Symptoms consists of depression, mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, constant crying, loss of concentration, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. PPD affects new mothers by hindering them from being...
Words: 281 - Pages: 2
...“But what is one to do?” (pg. 648) The woman in the room feels numb, nervous, helpless, and trapped in the yellow room. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, tells the story of a new mother suffering from what is known today as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression was first recognized in the 1850s so the reader can infer that the account was recorded before the condition was widely diagnosed or accepted. In the beginning of the tale, the woman seemed completely sane, but throughout the story the reader can see her slowly becoming unraveled. The author’s choice of words and sentence structure vividly depicts her journey to insanity. Toward the end of the story the narrator’s tone begins to appear very paranoid. “The...
Words: 508 - Pages: 3
