Postpartum Depression Essay

Background
also called postnatal depression, is a type of clinical depression which can affect both sexes after childbirth.

About 0.5% to 60% of women experience postpartum depression.

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Usually begins between two weeks to a month after delivery.


Signs and Symptoms
Sadness
Hopelessness
Low self-esteem
Guilt
A feeling of being overwhelmed
Sleep and eating disturbances
Inability to be comforted
Exhaustion
Emptiness
Inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable
Social withdrawal
Low or no energy
Becoming easily frustrated
Feeling inadequate in taking care of the baby
Decreased sex drive
Occasional or frequent anxiety
Risk Factors
Income
Rates of PPD have been shown to decrease as income increases.

Women with fewer resources may be more likely to have an unintended or unwanted pregnancy
Race
African American mothers have been shown to have the highest risk of PPD at 25%, while Asians had the lowest at 11.5%
American Indians, Caucasian and Hispanic women fell in between
Sexual Orientation
lesbian and bisexual biological mothers had significantly higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores than did the heterosexual women
Diagnosis
Experts diagnose PPD as depression with onset anytime within the first year after delivery.


Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, nearly every day
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Weight loss or decreased appetite
Changes in sleep patterns
Feelings of restlessness
Loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Loss of concentration or increased indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death, with or without plans of suicide
Andrea Yates
Born July 2, 1964 in Hallsville, Texas
Had severe PPD and Postpartum Psychosis
Suffered from depression and bulimia
Class valedictorian
Captain of the swim team
Officer in the National Honor Society
The Yates Story
After the birth of her 4th child, Andrea attempted suicide (June 1999)
Second attempt a month later
Becomes pregnant with 5th child (November 2000)
Her father passed (March 2001)
Waited for her husband to leave
Drowned all five of her children (June 20, 2001)
Was found not guilty by reason of insanity
Works Cited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbOKvZdLWbY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_depression
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_psychosis

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