Print this PagePost Natal Depression
What is Postnatal Depression?
Apart from 'baby blues' which resolve after a few days, there are two types of depression that can occur after childbirth:
It may follow on from baby blues, but is more likely to occur between the third and ninth month after the birth of the baby. Its effect is bewildering for women when they experience it, instead of the anticipated joy and fulfilment of motherhood.
PND is not a transitory condition and it may persist for 6-15 months or longer.
According to one authority,
"We can talk of postnatal depression when mood changes last more than two weeks and are disabling. That is when they interfere with life and functioning - physically, psychologically, socially or all three."
PND occurs with varying degrees of severity - mild, moderate and severe.
Postnatal Psychosis (sometimes called post partum psychosis) is rare and involves symptoms of psychosis (being out of touch with reality) associated with changes in mood - either a depressed or extremely high mood. It usually begins in the first two weeks after the child is born.
Risk Factors of Postnatal Depression:
- Past history of depression or other mental health problem.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Having little social contact.
- Onset of depression during pregnancy.
Life stresses or difficulties such as money or housing problems.
- Birth complications such as unwanted caesarean delivery.
- The birth process did not live up to expectations.
Birth of a brain damaged or otherwise ill baby.
- Persisting post natal 'blues'.
- Feeling detached from the baby.
- Mother experiences significant sleep problems.
The baby is 'fussy', has problems feeding or has colic or reflux.
What are the symptoms of Post Natal Depression?
For a diagnosis of depression to be made, mood symptoms and some or all of the following signs must have been present for at least two weeks.
Mood symptoms include:
- Persistent low, sad or 'depressed' mood.
- Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities.
Irritable mood.
Physical symptoms:
- Change in sleeping patterns.
- Change in appetite.
- Decreased energy.
Physical slowing or agitation.
Cognitive Symptoms include:
- Thoughts of worthlessness or excessive guilt about pat minor wrongs.
- Thoughts of hopelessness and death.
- Difficulty in thinking clearly.
Anxiety in symptoms of various kinds including excessive worrying, panic attacks, phobias and/or excessive concern about health.
How is Post Natal Depression Diagnosed?
There is no medical test that can diagnose depression or psychosis.
A diagnosis is made when a woman has some or all of the typical symptoms. For this reason it is very important for the health professional to get a full understanding of the difficulties the woman has had, from herself, her family/whanau or others who know her well.
Effective identification relies upon:
- Clinical judgement, based on knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with postnatal depression.
The use of screening techniques of which the Edinburgh Postnatal Depressor Scale (EDPS) is the most widely recognised.
How is Post Natal Depression Treated?
- Counselling
- Antidepressant medication
- Support groups
Developing support networks
For more information - please contact:
Your GP (General Practitioner)
Your Midwife or LMC (Lead Maternity Carer)
Your Plunket Nurse
Taranaki Health - Maternal Mental Health Worker - Sally Phillips
Telephone: (06) 753 6139 Ext: 8545
Email: sally.phillips@thcl.co.nz
Telephone: (06) 754 9060
Like Minds Taranaki gratefully acknowledges the financial support of this website by the Ministry of Health
Feedback is always welcome
Like Minds Taranaki, 06-759-0966, email: mental.health@xtra.co.nz
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