PPD: THE BIG PICTURE

WHAT IS PPD

Treatable mood disorder

negatively affects the lives of mothers and their newborns

a serious mental health problem
characterized by a prolonged period of emotional disturbance, occurring at a time of major life
change and increased responsibilities in the care of a newborn infant-feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustio

interfere with a mother’s ability to make a meaningful connection with her newborn and care for
her newborn

difficult for mothers to complete activities of daily living for
themselves, their newborn, and for others, which can result in feelings of detachment from their
newborn and family

begins before or any time after childbirth,between one week and one month after delivery

If left untreated- can last for a period of time, often months or
years, sometimes becoming a chronic depressive disorder-may be life-threatening

woman can potentially risk harming
themselves or their baby

Main topic

Risk Factors

Socio Demographic factors

More details

Preg and birth related

medical complications during the childbirth process or mixed feelings about the
pregnancy

Newborn related factors

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Marital and family relationship

Relationship adjustment

satisfaction, interactions, and behaviors between spouses and domestic partners (Fast Track Project, 2011)

Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale (1976)- relationship adjustment was lower/depressive and anxiety symptoms
tended to be higher

A lack of strong emotional support from a spouse, partner, family, or
friends

Marital satisfaction

less satisfaction in marriages,
increased worry about family responsibilities, and greater dissatisfaction in changes in household
routines, recreation, and intimacy with their partners

indicating less satisfaction with
parenthood and more concerned about changes in intimacy with their spouses.

Psycho-social and psychological history

past history of mental health disorder(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015)

Past History indicate higher levels of psychiatric symptoms amongppd women

Disorders

major depressive disorder

(Stein and colleagues (2012)) mothers who have a past history of major depressive disorder prior to
giving birth responded less to their child’s vocalization (cries, coos, etc.)

heightened psychiatric symptoms, higher levels of depressive
symptomatology, and greater anxiety is observed (Weinberg et al., 2001).

prenatal
anxiety

Anxiety before birth,

ecognized as feelings of guilt,
feelings of chronic anxiety, a lack of energy, persistent crying, isolation, and worries about the
relationship (PANDAS Foundation, 2014).

symptoms can be an indicator of
potential infant attachment.

anxiety experienced postpartum

Weinberg and colleagues (2001) - more negative and less positive affect with higher
depressive symptoms, higher anxiety levels, and greater psychiatric symptoms

depressive symptomology

lesbian birth mothers/co-mothers

Zelkowitz and
Milet’s (1996) findings that when a woman experiences psychiatric symptoms postpartum, her
partner is more likely to experience similar symptoms postpartum

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Subtopic

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

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Stress

Stressful life events during pregnancy or shortly
after giving birth have also shown to be indicative of postpartum depression

physical, emotional and behavioral problems that
can negatively affect a person’s mind and health

Maternal related stress

Negatively affect newborns

Smaller birth weight,

ncreased risk for miscarriage

infant temperamental problems
and fussiness

emotional problems in girls and boys can be a factor in an newborn’s potential
future development of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and severe depression

Culture

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Little research found unplanned Cesarean sections can be traumatic upon both the mother and baby(American Psychological Association, 2015)

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Main topic

Effect of PPD

In Mothers

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In Fathers

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Subtopic

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In Infants

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Next POINT

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Consequences

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Treatment Stategies

social support from
other mothers, friends, and relatives

Making sure new mothers are getting sufficient rest, sleep,
and cutting down on less important responsibilities

cognitive-behavioral therapy
and interpersonal therapy

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Survey

Questions

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