Postpartum Depression

Depression that occurs after childbirth.

Those who develop postpartum depression are at greater risk of developing major depression later on in life.

Symptoms might include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.

Untreated, the condition may last months or longer. Treatment can include counseling, antidepressants, or hormone therapy.

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW171
Diagnosis: Postpartum Depression
US Patients: 15% of new mothers; 1-26% of new fathers; postpartum psychosis-.1-.2 of 1% leading to 8 per 100,000 new baby murders In the US
World Patients: 17.7% world-wide; In US, African-American women have 25%; Asian-11.5%; other mothers in-between %s.
Sex Ratio: 80% of new mothers have milder “baby blues” which resolve in two weeks.
Age Onset: 1 week to 1 month after childbirth lasting more than two weeks; may also occur after miscarriage
Brain Area: Less activity in left frontal lobe; more in right frontal lobe, decreased connectivity for emotional-regulation; more amygdala arousal
Symptoms: extreme sadness and fatigue; can also affect the child, difficulty bonding, suicidal thoughts, worry about harming self or baby
Progression: 1/3 of women experience violence from men which increases postpartum depression
Causes: horomonal changes, sleep deprivation; synthetic oxycontin to induce birth; smoking, poverty, lack of emotional support
Medications: antidepressants, unless breast-feeding; SSRIs
Therapies: CBT and Interpersonal Therapy; light aerobic exercise may help in mild or moderate cases.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE

Youtube Video: Parenting through Postpartum Depression

Amazon or Library Book:

This Isn’t What I Expected – Overcoming Postpartum Depression

Click the book to link or order from Amazon.

Support Group: psidirectory.com; 593-894-9453

(Postpartum Support International)

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and peripartum depression: a longitudinal study of a bidirectional relationship
by Maja Žutić on December 20, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of a bidirectional relationship between GDM and PPD only in women with normal body weight before pregnancy. The results highlight the complexity of the relationship between peripartum mental and metabolic health, that is dependent on pre-pregnancy BMI. Clinicians should be aware that normal-weight women may have a unique sensitivity to the bidirectional interplay between GDM and PPD. Pregnant women should be closely monitored for both mental and...
Relationship between gestational body mass index, blood pressure variability, and postpartum depression in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia
by Fang-Fang Wu on December 20, 2024
CONCLUSION: Increased BMI and blood pressure variability during pregnancy can increase the risk of PPD in patients with pre-eclampsia. Strengthening pregnancy guidance and controlling fluctuations in BMI and blood pressure variability during pregnancy within a reasonable range can help reduce the risk of PPD in patients with pre-eclampsia.
Acceptance-based process variables on postpartum well-being and distress: The mediating role of psychological flexibility
by Alexa Bonacquisti on December 20, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: Targeting these acceptance-based processes in interventions may help to improve maternal, child, and family outcomes.
Sex-specific associations between exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum depression in Chinese women
by Liping Meng on December 20, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that the exclusive breastfeeding may reduce the PPD risk, especially among women with a birth of girl. Thus, more tailored preventative approaches should be developed to address PPD in women who were not exclusive breastfeeding.