POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: Symptoms, treatment, screening, scale, guidelines, support, onset – I need to speak out!*
Vol. 4, No. 7, Monday, May 13th 2013
TITLE: “POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: Symptoms, treatment, screening, scale, guidelines, support, onset – I need to speak out!*”
INTRODUCTION
Since we just celebrated Mother’s Day and motherhood is on my mind, I thought that I would consider the important subject of Post Partum Depression. Therefore, my book of the week is “Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Post Partum Depression” [Paperback] by Shoshana S., Ph.D. Bennett (Author), Pec Indman (Author) (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on women’s issues.)
ANTOINETTE’S LIFE & TIMES*
My View: After giving birth, a mother’s body has gone through a traumatic experience. This is a time when a mother should be excited about a new born baby. But this period is very hard on her. Unfortunately, there is little time to enjoy this experience – she’s busy breast feeding around the clock and she gets limited hours of sleep. Post Partum Depression just adds to the stress. A feeling of being out of control and isolation takes over.
This is one of the common forms of depression for women In certain situations, it can affect the mother and child bonding. Post Partum Depression should be addressed quickly. In many instances, it gets cured on its own.
My Mother: My Mom gave birth to my brother eleven months after giving birth to me. Although she spoke about this when the subject came up, she never complained how difficult it must have been.
Motherhood: My first pregnancy was a very difficult experience as I was having fraternal twins. Unfortunately the second twin had complications and died. Not only did I have Post Partum Depression, but I was also grieving the death of my second twin. It took me over a year before I started to feel myself again.
Real life story: I remember hearing a story about a gentleman. After the birth of their son, his wife began suffering from Post Partum Depression. One day, he got an urgent call informing him that his wife had jumped off the balcony to her death. It was so sad!
Next generation mothers: After my daughter gave birth to her children, she was exhausted in the first few months, but stuck to a schedule and this seemed to help her.
THE AUTHOR: Shoshana S., Ph.D. Bennett (Author), Pec Indman (Author)
Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D. (“Dr. Shosh”) from the popular DrShosh.com Radio Show has earned three teaching credentials, two masters degrees, a Ph.D. and is licensed as a clinical psychologist. She is a pioneer in the field. Surviving two life-threatening, undiagnosed Post Partum Depressions, she founded Post Partum Assistance for Mothers in 1987. She is a former president of Post Partum Support International.
She has helped over 19,000 women worldwide through individual consultations, support groups and wellness seminars. As a noted guest lecturer and keynote speaker, Dr. Shosh travels throughout the US and abroad, training medical and mental health professionals to assess and treat Post Partum Depression and related mood and anxiety disorder.
She is the author of Pregnant on Prozac, Postpartum Depression For Dummies, and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety. National TV shows including “20/20” and “The Doctors” feature Dr. Shosh as the postpartum expert and news stations consult her.
Dr. Shosh has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News. She is interviewed regularly on national radio and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Boston Globe, Fit Pregnancy, Glamour, Parenting, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, and the Chicago Tribune.
SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:
Several are:
Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshana S., Ph.D. Bennett and Pec Indman (Jul 2003)
Beyond the Blues: Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, a Treatment Manual by Shoshana S., Ph.D. Bennett (Feb 2002)
THE BOOK: Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression [Paperback] by Shoshana S., Ph.D. Bennett (Author), Pec Indman (Author)
Beyond the Blues contains the most up-to-date information about risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mood disorders in pregnancy and postpartum. Straightforward yet compassionate, it is required reading for all who work with pregnant and post partum women, as well as for those suffering before or after the baby is born.
CONCLUSION
Post Partum Depression is a very serious issue. Both the mother and her child are at risk. Please listen up!
Personal Comments
I say:
- That Post Partum Depression occurs more often than usually thought;
- That with time, this condition usually will pass;
- That greater understanding of this condition will bring comfort to all mothers;
- That while women are generally more aware of Post Partum Depression , there are those still in the dark about this condition;
- That after giving birth, a mother needs to be healthy mentally and physically, since caring for a baby can be very demanding on her;
- That there now is medical assistance and medication available for Post Partum Depression; and
- That having a supportive husband does make a difference!
The Point
Women everywhere, young and old, need to become informed and get up to date information about Post Partum Depression and care … before it’s too late!
ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
- Be aware that Post Partum Depression could happen after a pregnancy
- Recognize the signs of Post Partum Depression – several are:
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme fatigue
- No joy
- Sadness
- Anger
- Mood swings
- Thoughts of harming your baby or yourself
- Keeping to yourself and keeping away from everyone
3. Be proactive and
- Set aside time for yourself each day, even if it’s only 30 minutes
- Pamper yourself for a few hours – get a pedicure, a manicure, a facial, etc.
- Accept help, if offered, by a family member
- Do physical activities such as aerobic exercises, yoga, pilates or a stretching regimen every day
- Have a schedule for the bab
- Make sure you’re bonding with the baby
4. Explain how you’re feeling to your husband and ask for his help- it’s important for him to know what you’re feeling – that’s the first step to his becoming supportive.
5. Talk about your symptoms with family and friends
6. Seek assistance, if feeling overwhelmed, especially if the symptoms persists.
Let’s talk…about Post Partum Depression! This post is my contribution to the conversation. I would appreciate hearing what you think and have to say!
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
PREVIEW: (tentatively scheduled for May 20th 2013): Post Partum Depression Volume II. I’m not all talked out. I have even more great information. Come by and become even more informed. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on women’s issues.)
P.S. Big News: There are even more changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com – saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
CREDITS
-Web Tech: richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.
*TM/© 2013 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
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PAGE 2
NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*) .
ONE – “I SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT!*” – QUOTES
S & R* QUOTE #1: Antoinette La Posta
” It’s important to make mothers and expectant mothers aware of the problem of Post Partum Depression.”
TWO – “IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “postpartum Depression”;
“Postpartum Depression (PPD), also called postnatal Depression, is a type of clinical Depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, typically after childbirth.”(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_Depression
THREE– STUDY/STATISTICS:
“Age at first birth and the educational attainment of new mothers have changed over time. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) show that the mean (average) age at first birth increased 3.6 years from 1970 to 2007, from 21.4 to 25.0 years.7 The percentage of first births that were to women aged 35 and over increased nearly eight times between 1970 and 2006, from 1 percent to 8 percent. At the same time, the percentage of first births that were to women under 20 years of age dropped from 36 percent to 21 percent. Although not available by birth order, educational attainment among all mothers has also increased since 1970. In 2007, 24 percent of mothers had completed a bachelor’s degree or more, compared with 9 percent in 1970.”
(Source: http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-128.pdf)
“Symptoms of PPD can occur anytime in the first year postpartum.[6] These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Sadness[6]
- Hopelessness[6]
- Low self-esteem[6]
- Feeling less loved by partner
- Guilt[6]
- A feeling of being overwhelmed
- Sleep and eating disturbances[6]
- Inability to be comforted[6]
- Exhaustion[6]
- Emptiness[6]
- Anhedonia[6]
- Social withdrawal[6]
- Low or no energy[6]
- Becoming easily frustrated[6]
- Feeling inadequate in taking care of the baby[6]
- Impaired speech and writing
- Spells of anger towards others
- Increased anxiety or panic attacks
- Decreased sex drive – see Sex after pregnancy“
Attachment study
“A study by Edhborg on mother-child attachment looked at 45 randomly selected mother-child pairs. These pairs were chosen using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale[27] (EPDS) form, measuring postpartum Depression in the community. 326 women returned the form and of the 326, 24 scoring above twelve were recruited and 21 women scoring less than nine were recruited. A score above twelve is considered “potentially depressed” and a score of less than nine is considered to have no form of Depression. The 45 mother-child pairs were videotaped, in their homes, for five minutes in three different situations. Mother and child were first put in a room with a standard set of toys, to represent a control play. In the second situation, mother and child were allowed to play freely in an average toy room. In the third situation, the mother was asked to leave the room as if she had to check on something, like she would regularly do in their home environment, and then return.” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_Depression)
FOUR – BONUS ARTICLES
S & R*NEWS ALERT*#1: Talking saves lives for those with eating disorders
“Public announcements regarding the numbers of people suffering from debilitating Depression, anxiety, phobias and so on seem to be on the increase. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.ca), one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness, with one in 12 experiencing an anxiety disorder. One might begin to question the research on which these astonishing numbers are based.
The explanation is simple, suggests Suzanne Phillips, program co-ordinator of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (www.nedic.ca). NEDIC oversees the national hotline that is often the first port of call for those concerned about having an eating disorder the mental disorder cited by experts as having the highest mortality rate at 18 – 20%.
The stigma of mental health challenges is finally being addressed, she says. There is greater awareness among educators, health practitioners and parents. Individuals are more likely to self-identify their condition. Better screening, identification and treatment options have led to help for more individuals with these troubles.
Talking saves lives, says Jenni Morrow, unconsciously mimicking the slogan on a NEDIC poster that encourages individuals to break the silence around their eating problems. After a suicide attempt (which is common among individuals with eating disorders) Morrow’s 33-year-old daughter, Kaelie, admitted her mental anguish and her struggles to cope through focusing on controlling her food and weight to her mom. Now in treatment, Kaelie confirms that reaching out for help takes courage.
It’s still not easy to step up and say that you have a problem, especially an eating disorder, Morrow points out. Research shows that a high percentage of both the general public and health practitioners still see this as a self-inflicted problem that the individual can ‘just get over’.
But it’s worth it, she concludes, as not getting the treatment that one needs can lead to serious physical and emotional problems, all of which impact school, work and relationships.” www.newscanada.com
S & R*NEWS ALERT*#2: What you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
“Who hasn’t joked about misplaced keys or a forgotten word being the onset of Alzheimer’s disease? Don’t kid yourself. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that will affect 1.4 million Canadians within the next 20 years, more than double today’s figure.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The term dementia generally refers to a group of brain disorders that are progressive and degenerative – and eventually fatal. It interferes with a person’s ability to remember, think and process information.
The disease progresses differently in each person but will gradually make it increasingly difficult for a person to care for themselves and perform tasks or activities previously taken for granted.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It can affect people as young as 40, but the risk doubles every five years after age 65.
Some forms of dementia can be treated, even reversed. These forms result from medical conditions such as an infection or the side-effects of medication. But most types, including Alzheimer’s disease, are still incurable.
A diagnosis doesn’t mean a person has to change their daily routine or stop working immediately. But diagnosis is essential for getting the right treatment and support which will help people live more fully longer and will allow families to plan for future needs.
More information is available online at www.alzheimer.ca
SIDEBAR
Top 10 signs of dementia
According to a 2011 Alzheimer Society poll, 50 per cent of Canadian baby boomers identified memory loss as the only sign of Alzheimer’s disease, while a quarter couldn’t name any sign. Do you know the symptoms? Changes in behaviour and personality can also indicate the beginnings of the disease. Recognizing these signs is important for getting a diagnosis and to make the most of the available support and treatments:
· Memory loss – forgetting recent events or difficulty retaining new information
· Difficulty performing familiar tasks – preparing a meal or shopping
· Language problems – finding the right words or using inappropriate words
· Disorientation – getting lost on the way to work or being confused about the time of day
· Poor or decreased judgment – neglecting personal hygiene or safety
· Problems with abstract thinking – difficulty balancing a cheque book or not understanding what the numbers mean
· Misplacing things – putting things in odd places like storing an iron in the fridge
· Behavioural changes – sharp mood swings, from calm to tears to Depression that are hard to explain
· Personality changes – becoming unusually withdrawn, suspicious or anxious
· Loss of initiative – withdrawing from friends and family and losing interest in activities
If you’re concerned about dementia for yourself or someone you care about, there are many people who can help you, including your family and friends and community resources. Your local Alzheimer Society offers free counseling and many other services to help you live well with dementia now and throughout its progression. More information is available online at www.alzheimer.ca “www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2013 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.