Risk of post-traumatic stress disorder in women after miscarriage

Abstract

Loss of pregnancy as a result of miscarriage may cause many undesirable psychological reactions, including the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. Its consequences are often an important clinical problem, which entails a variety of complications that may affect the overall functioning of women and their partners. Understanding the type and frequency of emotional responses to pregnancy loss is therefore essential to target appropriate support, thus minimising mental illness and health costs in long-term care. Supporting women after a miscarriage can also help build a constructive relationship with the children born after the loss, so that unresolved grief and depression do not affect their formation in a negative way. Proper communication and reliable and empathetic feedback from health professionals also seem important. The aim of the article is to describe the psychological reactions of women after miscarriage and to assess the factors that affect their occurrence. Streszczenie Utrata ciąży wskutek poronienia może powodować u kobiet duży stres psychiczny i obok dolegliwości fizycznych niesie również ze sobą wiele niepożądanych reakcji psychologicznych, w tym ryzyko wystąpienia zespołu stresu pourazowego. Jego konsekwencje stanowią często istotny problem kliniczny, który pociąga za sobą różnorodne powikłania mogące wpłynąć na całokształt funkcjonowania kobiet i ich partnerów. Zrozumienie rodzaju i częstości występowania reakcji emocjonalnych na utratę ciąży jest niezwykle ważne w celu ukierunkowania odpowiedniego wsparcia, co minimalizuje chorobowość psychiczną i koszty zdrowotne w opiece długoterminowej. Wsparcie kobiet po poronieniu może także pomóc w budowaniu konstruktywnej więzi z dziećmi urodzonymi po stracie, by nierozwiązany żal i depresja nie wpływały na ich kształtowanie w sposób negatywny. Istotne wydaje się także właściwe komunikowanie oraz rzetelne i empatyczne przekazywanie informacji przez personel medyczny. Celem artykułu jest opisanie reakcji psychologicznych kobiet po stracie dziecka w wyniku poronienia oraz ocena czynników, które wpływają na ich wystąpienie.

CBT for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in the context of pregnancy loss: a case study reflection

“…However, studies suggest that some women with experience of pregnancy loss are at increased risk of psychological distress which may require treatment (Cumming et al ., 2007; Lok et al ., 2010; Robertson-Blackmore et al ., 2011). In particular, rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are elevated (Białek et al ., 2020; Farren et al ., 2016). PTSD is characterised by intrusive thoughts or memories, avoidance, negative alteration of cognition and mood, and hypervigilance, all of which may contribute to social, occupational and interpersonal dysfunction ( DSM-5 ; American Psychiatric Association, 2013).…”

The effect of post-abortion care (PAC) on anxiety in women with spontaneous abortion based on MicroRNA-21 expression, cortisol level, and Fordyce happiness pattern

“…Abortion is both a physically and mentally damaging experience (8). Women who have had abortions feel depression, anxiety, marital conflict, suicide attempts, drug abuse, grief, anger, guilt, feelings of emptiness and helplessness, low selfesteem, and sleep disorders (9,10).…”

Erken Gebelik Kaybı Yaşayan Kadınlarda Posttravmatik Stres Bozukluğu Belirtileri ve İlişkili Faktörler

“…[3] Women may experience feelings of shock, denial, confusion, fear, anger, sadness, tension, and guilt after pregnancy loss. [1,6] The most common mental problems after pregnancy loss are anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [6,7] PTSD is an anxiety disorder arising after exposure to a traumatic event in which a person is confronted with death or serious harm and their reaction to the threat involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror.…”

“…[1,6] The most common mental problems after pregnancy loss are anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [6,7] PTSD is an anxiety disorder arising after exposure to a traumatic event in which a person is confronted with death or serious harm and their reaction to the threat involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror. [4] Of support mechanisms and the woman's inability to cope with anxiety and stress adequately after pregnancy loss may cause posttraumatic stress disorder.…”

“…[12,13] In particular, health professionals working in the field of mental health should be sensitive to posttraumatic stress to increase the well-being of women and their families and provide them with social and psychological support. [5,6] It is important to examine the reactions of women with a pregnancy loss to posttraumatic stress and anxiety, to identify mental problems in the early period, and to define strategies used to cope with the difficulties in terms of protecting the physical and mental health of the woman and the fetus for subsequent pregnancies. Although there are studies examining posttraumatic stress disorder and mental problems in women with pregnancy loss in the international literature, [7][8][9][10][14][15][16] studies examining this issue are limited in Turkey.…”