Postnatal depression

Abstract

Postnatal depression encompasses childbirth mood disorders from the blues to serious psychiatric illness (DoH 1998b). Chris Bewley explains the variety of biological, psychological, cultural and sociological factors involved and how health professionals can be involved in preventing such disorders from becoming long-term depressive illness.

Family dynamics of postnatally depressed mothers – discrepancy between expectations and reality

“…Psychological symptoms included nervousness, tension and the onset of panic disorder. Similar findings have been reported by Bewley (1999). The mother feels insecure about her role as a mother, which may give rise to mood swings and feelings of loneliness and failure.…”

The Graying of the Obstetric Population: Implications for the Older Mother

“…Postpartum Depression. Postpartum depression (PPD), a serious condition affecting approximately 10% of new mothers (Bewley, 1999;Green, 1998;Warner, Appleby, Whitton, & Faragher, 1996), is thought to be more prevalent among older mothers, particularly primiparae. Researchers consistently have found that factors of major etiological importance in PPD are largely of a social nature.…”

Strategies in caring for women with postpartum psychosis – an interview study with psychiatric nurses

“…2005). While pregnancy is generally a time of lowered risk for psychosis, the first month after childbirth shows greatly elevated risk (Brennan 1991, Buist 1997, Bewley 1999). Once afflicted with this illness, the risk of repeated incidents may reach as high as 50% for a subsequent childbirth (O'Hara 1987, Balcombe 1996, Terp et al.…”

“…A characteristic of PPP is that it appears one to eight weeks postpartum (mainly within the first two to four weeks after the delivery) and is a reactive psychosis, meaning that it begins in conjunction with a stressful life‐situation, sometimes in combination with physical exhaustion. The onset usually occurs unexpectedly and abruptly without other warning signs except sleeping disturbances lasting a few nights (Ugarriza 1992, Bewley 1999, Sharma 2003, Sharma et al. 2004).…”

“…The prognosis for PPP is generally good especially for those where the condition has developed within the first‐month postpartum. According to Balcombe (1996), Bewley (1999) and Terp et al. (1999) most patients with PPP recover completely in a matter of two to six weeks although some may develop chronic schizophrenia.…”