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Prenatal
Depression
Despite the belief that pregnancy should be
a joyful time, 10-20% of pregnant women experience prenatal
depression.
While the symptoms of prenatal
depression are no different than those of depression unrelated to
pregnancy, the disease process is particularly devastating because
of the coinciding guilt factor.
Women experiencing prenatal depression
are often ashamed to not be feeling more excited about their
pregnancy and the up-coming birth of their baby.
Often times there is an accompanied
concern that the baby will somehow know her mother harbored feelings
of sadness or anger during the pregnancy, and that she will be
affected by this even after birth.
While this is generally untrue, it is
difficult for the pregnant woman to put these concerns to rest,
which can often times exacerbate her feelings of depression and/or
anxiety.
Postpartum Depression
Similar to prenatal depression, postpartum
depression is also quite common with a similar incidence as prenatal
depression (10-20%).
While upwards of 70% of women will
experience the “baby blues” following the birth of a child, the
emotional albility and tearfulness of this much more benign
condition usually subsides within one to two weeks of the baby’s
birth.
Postpartum depression can last for
months, or longer if not treated (3-6 months is average), and may
not even occur until 6-8 weeks following childbirth.
Postpartum Psychosis
Much more rare than prenatal and
postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis occurs in 1 in 1,000
postpartum women.
It is often unassociated with postpartum
depression and is characterized by delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized thinking and suicidal and homicidal impulses.
Prenatal and postpartum depression do
not constitute a weakness of personality or coping skills.
They are a result of chemical and
hormonal shifts occurring within the woman’s body in relation to
pregnancy.
In order to address these extremely
treatable conditions, one must first be able to recognize the signs
and symptoms:
Crying/tearfulness, often uncontrollable and sometimes
for “no reason at all”
Sleep disturbances: too
much or too little
Appetite disturbances:
increased or decreased with associated weight gain or loss
Generally low mood/ feeling like “there is a cloud hanging over me”
Inability/disinterest in enjoying activities the woman usually finds
pleasurable
Difficulty concentrating/making decisions
Low energy/motivation (“I can hardly drag myself out of bed in the
morning…”)
Low self esteem
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Hopelessness
Thoughts of suicide, homicide, or death in general
Risk factors for developing prenatal or postpartum depression
include:
History of depression or anxiety
Family history of depression
History of substance abuse
History of physical abuse
Low socioeconomic situation
Poor support by partner
Difficult pregnancies/miscarriages
Difficulty handling stress/anxiety
It is important for one or more people
close to the pregnant or postpartum woman to be familiar with the
signs of pregnancy-related depression.
One common characteristic of people
experiencing depression is that they become extremely skilled at
hiding their depressed mood.
For fear of judgment, exclusion or
misunderstanding, depressed people often pretend everything is “just
fine”, except for when they are in their most comfortable
environment.
In the early stages of prenatal or
postpartum depression, the woman may not even suspect she is
depressed, and many describe the experience as something that just
“crept up” on her.
Because of this, it is crucial that if a
friend or family member recognizes
any
signs of depression in a pregnant or postpartum woman, they address
it with her, and help her access the help she needs to treat this
disease.
The good news is, prenatal and postpartum depression are very
treatable.
Psychotherapy and medications can both
play a role and are often most effective when utilized together.
Postpartum Psychosis is a psychiatric emergency requiring
immediate medical intervention.
If you
are concerned that you or a loved one is experiencing prenatal or
postpartum depression, don’t wait to see if it will get better on
its own.
The best gift you can give yourself and
your baby is to seek treatment.
Reach out to
someone
who you think can help you (your family doctor, OB-GYN or your
baby’s doctor are all good places to start).
For more information about pregnancy-related depression,
please check out the following:
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org
http://www.healthyminds.org
http://www.nmha.org
http://postpartumprogress.typepad.com
Postpartum International
Warm Line:
1-800-944-4PPD (4773)
USA National Suicide Hotlines:
** Toll-Free, 7 days/week**
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433
1-800-273-8255
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