Depression back
Sometimes people become depressed after an emotional time in your life such as, a divorce, a loved one dying or a stressful home life. Other times, depression just happens by itself. For some women being pregnant can cause depression or they can suffer post natal depression after the baby is born.
 
Another cause of depression is having health issues such as Pelvic Girdle Pain. In some cases women with PGP may  experience emotional problems such as anxiety over the cause of pain, resentment, anger, lack of self-esteem, frustration and depression; she is three times more likely to suffer postpartum depressive symptoms32.

 
What is Depression back 
The word 'depression' is often used to describe the feelings of sadness which all of us experience at some stage of our lives. Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be willed or wished away. A depressive disorder involves the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed cannot "snap out of it" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or years.
 
Depression Questionnaire PDF files back
Special Note: The above depression questionnaires are only to be used as a guide. If you feel depressed seek help from a qualified Healthcare professional.
 
Post Natal Depression (PND)) back
Postnatal depression, also called Postpartum depression, is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. Postnatal depression can develop within a few days or weeks of giving birth.
 
In some cases women with PGP may also experience emotional problems such as; anxiety over the cause of pain, resentment, anger, lack of self-esteem, frustration and depression. These emotions can continue postpartum especially if the pain and disability has not decreased.  For some women this can lead to emotional disengagement over the needs of her child and self-blame over the inability to care for her baby.
 
Types of Post Natal Depression back
'Baby Blues affects about 80% of new mothers and occurring between the third and tenth day after birth.  Symptoms include tearfulness, anxiety, mood fluctuations and irritability.  The " baby blues" are transient and will pass with understanding and support.
 
Post-natal depression is when the "baby blues" don't go away. The baby blues affect 80 percent of women, usually between the third and tenth day after giving birth, while post-natal depression may develop and persist for weeks or many months.  Many women do not know that PND can occur unexpectedly after delivery and typically blame themselves, their partners or their baby for the way they feel.  Some try hard to "snap out of it" without understanding that women with PND have little control over the way they are feeling. 
 
Puerperal or Postnatal Psychosis affects 1 in 500 mothers, usually in the first 3-4 weeks after delivery. Postnatal psychosis is a serious condition.  The mother herself may be unaware she is ill as her grasp on reality is affected. Symptoms include severe mood disturbance (either marked elation or depression or fluctuations from one to the other), disturbance in thought processes, bizarre thoughts, insomnia and inappropriate responses to the baby.  There is risk to the life of both mother and baby if the problem is not recognised and treated.  Postnatal psychosis requires a hospital stay.  With appropriate treatment women suffering from postnatal psychosis fully recover.
 
Symptoms of PDN back
Symptoms of PDN can occur anytime in the first year postpartum and include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Sadness
  • Hopelessness
  • Low self-esteem
  • Guilt
  • Sleep and eating disturbances
  • Inability to be comforted
  • Exhaustion
  • Emptiness
  • Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events)
  • Social withdrawal
  • Low or no energy
  • Becoming easily frustrated
  • Feeling inadequate in taking care of the baby
  • Impaired speech and writing
  • Spells of anger towards others
  • Increased anxiety or panic attacks
  • Increased sex drive
 
One method of detecting Postnatal Depression (PND) is the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. If the new mother scores more than 13, she is likely to develop PND.
 
Early identification and intervention improves long term prognoses for most women. A major part of prevention is being informed about the risk factors, and the medical community can play a key role in identifying and treating postpartum depression.
 
Various treatment options include: back
  • Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (Psychotherapy)
  • Possible medication
  • Support groups
  • Home visitors
  • Healthy diet
  • Consistent/healthy sleep patterns
 
How the Partner and Family Can Help with Post Natal Depression back
How the Partner can Help
Suggestions include:
  • Be patient.
    • Encourage your partner to talk about her feelings.
  • Accept that her feelings are genuine and don't trivialise them by telling her to "snap out of it" or "get over it".
  • Try to understand her point of view.
  • Don't take her negative feelings or criticisms personally.
  • Tactfully limit visitors if she doesn't feel like socialising.
  • Enlist the aid of other family members to help around the house, if and when they can, including with
     baby-sitting.
  • Tell her often that you love her.
  • Show her you love her with cuddles, baby care and housework.
  • Don't try to turn every cuddle into sexual intercourse.
  • Don't criticise her post-pregnancy body or demand she lose weight, as she may already feel low about
    her appearance.
  • Telephone her from work, or drop in for lunch occasionally if you work close to home.
  • Care for the baby after work to promote your father-child relationship, while giving your partner a much needed break.
  • If you are worried, encourage her to see a doctor. Go to the doctor yourself for information and advice, if your partner initially refuses to go. Reassure her that, with appropriate help and support, she will recover from PND.
 
 
Suggestions for Family and Friends back
Ways you can help a loved one who has PND include:
  • Find out as much information as you can about PND.
  • Be patient and understanding.
  • Ask the couple how you can help.
  • Offer to baby-sit. Offer to help around the house.
  • Let the mother know you are there for her, even if she doesn't feel like talking.
  • Appreciate that the father may also be emotionally affected by the demands and challenges of new parenthood.
Extract from [www.disability.vic.gov.au]
 
 
Dysthymic Disorder back
Dysthymia is a type of low-grade depression. A person may be able to function in their day-to-day life, but never feels quite right. They may report feeling like they've been depressed all their lives or say they feel like they are just barely managing to keep their head above water. Dysthymic Disorder is a chronic condition characterized by depressive symptoms that occur for most of the day, more days than not, for at least 2 years.
 
Some of the symptoms are:
  • Appetite decreased or increased
  • Sleep decreased or increased
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Poor self-image
  • Decreased concentration and decisiveness
  • Feels hopeless or pessimistic
Despite the long term nature of this type of depression, psychotherapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of this low-depression, and assisting the person in managing his/her life better. Some individuals with Dysthymic disorder respond well to antidepressant medication, in addition to the psychotherapy. The type of psychotherapy that will help depends on a number of factors, including the nature of any stressful events, the availability of family and other social support, and personal preference.
 
Major Depression back
This is the most severe category of depression. In a major depression, more of the symptoms of depression are present, and they are usually more intense or severe. A major depression can result from a single traumatic event in your life, or may develop slowly as a consequence of numerous personal disappointments and life problems.  Major Depression is characterized by severe, highly persistent depression, which is often manifested by lack of appetite, chronic fatigue, lethargy, and sleep disturbances (somnipathy). The victim may think about suicide, and in fact an increased risk of actual suicide is present.  If you are concerned about a persons mental state and they are making threats of suicide seek help immediately from your Family Doctor or a Qualified Mental Health Professional.
 
 
Anxiety back
Anxiety is a normal, healthy emotions, and everyone experiences anxiety from time-to-time. For about one in every twelve people, however, anxiety is so persistent and severe that it creates serious difficulties. People with anxiety problems may be constantly fearful and worried or they may be so scared of certain situations that they can't face them. Severe anxiety can also lead to other problems like depression, relationship difficulties, and drug and alcohol abuse.
 
 
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) back
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one condition linked with birth trauma. PTSD is an anxiety disorder which is developed after exposure to a traumatic event where horror, fear and/or helplessness are experienced.
 
Symptoms can include
  • Nightmares and flashbacks
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Emotional numbing and character restriction, psychological distress in response to internal or external cues that symbolise the event
  • Physiological reactivity to these cues, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma
  • Detachment
  • Sense of a shortened future
  • Hyper vigilance
  • Flashbacks, nightmares
  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
  • Cynicism and distrust of authority figures and public institutions
  • Hypersensitivity to injustice
 
Women with PTSD may also experience anger, depression,  feel very isolated and detached from other mothers, have difficulty bonding with their baby and chronic sleep problems that has resulted from the birth trauma and loss of control.
These symptoms may start very soon after the birth, or even years later.
 
Some women may feel they are unable to forget their childbirth experience and are told to "put it behind them" and "move on". They may feel guilty as a result and may feel torn between their desire to have more children and their determination to avoid another pregnancy. The longer the person has suffered from untreated PTSD, and the more severe the trauma, the more likely the PTSD will be hidden by one or more of these or other cover-up symptoms:
Some women may feel they are unable to forget their childbirth experience and are told to put it behind them" and move on". They may feel guilty as a result and may feel torn between their desire to have more children and their determination to avoid another pregnancy. The longer the person has suffered from untreated PTSD, and the more severe the trauma, the more likely the PTSD will be hidden by one or more of these or other cover-up symptoms:
 
  • Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, compulsive eating
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Compulsive gambling or compulsive spending
  • Psychosomatic problems
  • Homicidal, suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour
  • Phobias Panic disorders
  • Depression or depressive symptoms
  • Dissociation symptoms
  • Fainting spells
If left untreated PTSD does not go away.
 
 
 

Copyright © 2005/2011 PINS | Contact Us | Disclaimer