Postpartum Depression Essay examples - 1253 Words

Introduction When a woman gives birth to a child, it can be one of the most joyous and exciting moments in her life, yet it can also be difficult and stressful. There are a range of emotional, behavioral, and physical changes that occur shortly after a woman gives birth. These changes are common; however, many women who experience these emotions may have postpartum depression, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Many women require medical treatment. Although all causes of postpartum depression are unknown, there are many factors that can put a woman at risk. This essay provides an overview of postpartum depression, the impact it has on the individual client, the newborn, and the family, the physical and mental assessment†¦show more content†¦The impact of postpartum depression causes a mother to frequently feel exhausted, emotionally empty, and guilty because she cannot show love to her baby. The mother feels overwhelmed by feelings of harming her baby and may l ack the emotional energy to relate to her newborn, which prevents her from perceiving the baby’s attempts to communicate. Depressed mothers are less likely to play with, read to, or even breastfeed their baby and tend to be inconsistent in their care causing a disruption in the bonding process. Many mothers are embarrassed to get help out of shame. Postpartum depression also has an extremely high impact on the newborn. Katja Gaschler (2008) states, â€Å"three-month-old infants of depressed mothers look at their mothers less often and show fewer signs of positive emotion than do babies of mentally healthy mothers† (p. 65). Postpartum depression during the first few months of life may also cause negative effects on a child’s development including: social problems (difficulty establishing relationships, social withdrawal, and acting out destructively); behavioral problems (temper tantrums, sleep problems, hyperactivity, and aggression); cognitive problems (walk ing and talking late and learning difficulties); and emotional problems (low self-esteem and anxiety). The family as a whole is also greatly impacted byShow MoreRelatedEssay Postpartum Depression740 Words   |  3 PagesPostpartum Depression In 2001, Andrea Yates, a Texas mother, was accused of drowning her five children, (aged seven, five, three, two, and six months) in her bathtub. The idea of a mother drowning all of her children puzzled the nation. Her attorney argued that it was Andrea Yates untreated postpartum depression, which evolved into postpartum psychosis that caused her horrific actions (1) . He also argued that Andrea Yates suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her fourthRead MorePostpartum Depression : Post Partum Depression1599 Words   |  7 Pagesabout what could cause a mother to murder her own children. Two words became a significant part of her legal team’s defense: â€Å"postpartum depression† (Cohen). A public dialogue was opened and the issue of postpartum depression saw a significant shift in awareness. This new era of enlightenment would be considerably different from the earlier history of post-partum depression and some of the shame that surrounded it. Bey ond Andrea Yates, other women have increased the prominence of the mental disorderRead MorePostpartum Depression On The Mother And Parenting1463 Words   |  6 PagesFor this research paper, I decided to focus on postpartum depression. While being a listening ear, I was introduced to the reality that not every mother has the attachment to her child that almost every movie in Hollywood portrays. After hearing the story and not sure if it was a real thing, I began to search the web for information, stories, and news coverage related to the rarely-discussed category of depressed known as Postpartum Depression (PPD). I wanted to find solid proof that this was anRead MorePostpartum Depression : Symptoms And Symptoms773 Words   |  4 Pagesbirth of a baby leads to some complicated feelings that are unexpected. Up to 85% of postpartum woman experience a mild depression called â€Å"baby blues† (Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, Alden, 2012). Though baby blues is hard on these mothers, another form of depression, postpartum depression, can be even more debilitating to postpartum woman. Postpartum depression affects about 15% (Lowdermilk et al., 2012) of postpartum woman. This disorder is not only distressing to the mother but to the whole familyRead MoreMiddle Range Theory Of Postpartum Depression Theory Essay1608 Words   |  7 PagesMiddle Range Theory Paper: Analysis of Postpartum Depression Theory Description of Theory- In 1993, Beck published a middle range theory on postpartum depression, entitled Teetering on the Edge. Beck, (1993, p. 44) which describes â€Å"walking on a fine line between sanity and insanity†. Beck determined a limited amount of qualitative research available and few instruments for measurement of postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and â€Å"maternity blues†. Beck interviewed 12 women for 18 months detailedRead MoreThe Effects Of Health Information Levels On Postpartum Depression1545 Words   |  7 PagesTitle Evaluation The title of the journal article to be critically evaluated is Influence of health information levels on postpartum depression. This title is not sufficiently specific because the variables are not easily understood. What is meant by health information levels? The reader must examine the article further to understand if this health information is provided, or does the article refer to the level of health-related knowledge each participant already possessed from another source, suchRead MoreThe Effects Of Maternal Postpartum Depression On The Language Development Of Children Essay1554 Words   |  7 PagesIn the article â€Å"The impact of maternal postpartum depression on the language development of children at 12 months†, the authors, Quevedo, Silva, Godoy, Jansen, Matos, Tavares Pinheiro and Pinheiro, studied the relationship between some factors related to maternal depression during the first year of a child’s life and the child’s language development proces s (Quevedo et al.,2011). They hypothesized that a child whose mother presented maternal depression would have a lower performance than a childRead MorePostpartum Depression Essay1223 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major form of depression and is less common than postpartum blues. PPD includes all the symptoms of depression but occurs only following childbirth.† stated by William Beardslee, MD is the Academic Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Children’s Hospital in Boston and Gardner Monks Professor of Child Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. After reviewing and seeing what many mothers and young teenage mothers go through on what seems like an everyday basisRead MorePostpartum Depression : Symptoms And Treatments Essay1101 Words   |  5 PagesDepression Postpartum in United States According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, depression is â€Å"a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.† According to the definition of the fourth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), postpartum depressionRead MorePostpartum Depression : Symptoms And Symptoms980 Words   |  4 PagesPostpartum Depression Screening Depression, a disorder of the brain, is known to be a common but serious illness that interferes with one’s life. Although MRI scans have shown a difference in the brain activity of individuals suffering depression, it cannot solely be used to diagnose depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) states that â€Å"with postpartum onset† to episode of depression with the onset being within 4 weeks of delivery of a neonate