Dissociative Experience During Childbirth

Diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) accounts for an estimated 1% of the general population and up to 20% of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric populations (Brand & Loewenstein, 2010). DID can also be triggered and manifested in individuals which is why trauma is especially prevalent in individuals diagnosed with DID; about 71% have experienced childhood physical abuse and 74% sexual abuse (Foote, Smolin, Kaplan, Legatt, & Lipschitz, 2006). Due to trauma being so prevalent in DID many individuals with dissociative disorders suffer from a multitude of psychiatric issues that may include

Even though our bodies are in one place, our minds may be in another. In Martha Stout’s essay “When I Woke Up Tuesday Morning, It Was Friday,” the author introduces us to the idea of dissociation. Dissociation is when one’s mind is away from the body and he or she does not know what is going on in the physical world. Those that have traumatic histories may experience this. But because of dissociation, victims may not know if they had a traumatic past because a memory of it never really formed. Stout also finds that individuals may use dissociation as a way to protect themselves from trauma. Sometimes the slightest and smallest piece of a traumatic memory may bring into play the dissociation. When these individuals experience dissociation

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis are “delusions or strange beliefs, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), feeling very irritated, decreased need or inability to sleep, paranoia, rapid mood swings and difficulty communicating at times”. (“Postpartum Psychosis”, 2009)

People are exposed to struggles in life on a daily basis, although some individuals’ experiences are more traumatic than others’. The way people react to their challenges differs with trauma as well. In Daniel Gilbert’s Immune to Reality, Gilbert describes the psychological immune system, which is a defense mechanism of the mind. The psychological immune system is recognized as a way for the brain to find ways to deal with the harsh realities of life. Contrastingly, Martha Stout in When I Woke Up Tuesday Morning, It Was Friday focuses on dissociation, which is common in people who have experienced trauma. It is similar to Gilbert’s psychological immune system, as they are both mental systems of defense, but instead of helping an individual cope with hard times, dissociation causes complete separation of the mind from the body as an escape from reality. Dissociation from non-traumatic events is harmful to people’s psychological well-being because it makes

American Psychiatric Association (APA). 1994. Somatoform Dissociative Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Ed. Retrieved from http://behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/disamnesia.htm

In chapter 15 of Exploring Psychology, the author discuss the basics of psychological disorders. Within this assignment, the psychological disorder of my choosing is Dissociative Identity Disorder. The commonality of the disorder is rare. Although we’ve disassociated ourselves in some form or the other with our ability to daydream, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is more severe and is usually linked to trauma. Formerly the disorder was known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Individuals who suffer from this disorder usually have more than one aspect of themselves or personalities, whom he or she is completely unaware of. Sufferers of the disorder have to deal with a variety of symptoms such as memory loss, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, black-outs, impulsiveness, and perception of being detached from the self. The severity of the trauma is usually extreme, repetitive, and long-term. The individual may have an extensive history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.

Postpartum psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has become the most underdiagnosed complication in the United States. It can lead to increased costs of medical care, inappropriate medical care, child abuse and neglect, discontinuation of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction and adversely affects early brain development (Earls, 2010). Over 400,000 infants are born to mothers that are depressed. One of 7 new mothers (14.5%) experience depressive episodes that impair maternal role function. An episode of major or minor depression that occurs during pregnancy or the first 12 months after birth is called perinatal or postpartum depression (Wisner, Chambers & Sit, 2006). Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others (Postpartum Depression). The six stages of postpartum are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and PTSD. These stages may affect any women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status. However only a physician can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. It does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do, it’s a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones in a woman’s body quickly drop; which may lead to chemical changes in her brain (Postpartum Depression). Unbalanced hormones may trigger mood swings.

It is a rare illness that occurs in approximately 1 to 2 per 1000 women after childbirth. Its presentation is often dramatic, with onset of symptoms as early as the first 48 to 72 hours after delivery. The majority of women with puerperal psychosis develop symptoms within the first two postpartum weeks. Symptoms of postpartum physics often include delusions or strange beliefs, hallucinations, decreased need for or inability to sleep, paranoia and suspiciousness. The most significant risk factors for postpartum psychosis are a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, or a previous psychotic episode. Postpartum psychosis is different from the baby blues; 70% of new mothers experience the baby blues, which is a short-lasting condition that does not impact their daily functioning and does

Postpartum depression in a common experience for newer mothers to have after childbirth. It is meant to last only a few days but can extend for a few months if it is severe. It is thought that it is caused by extreme hormonal shifts in the body after childbirth. If not treated in time, it has a potential chance harm the mother or the child. It is important that the mother feels appreciated and respected during this time. This article will help by giving further information in postpartum depression and further help the claims of how gender roles can further depression.

This level is more draining and longer lasting than the ‘blues’ and is characterized by hopelessness, tearfulness and more intense feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety and fatigue (Postpartum, 2017). Women may experience physical symptoms such as headaches and rapid heart rate. Also, may feel the lack of feeling for the baby is of special concern (Postpartum, 2017). These symptoms can appear any time during the first few months to one year after the birth (Postpartum, 2017). Also, following childbirth, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is triggered by trauma during the time leading up to, during, and/ or shortly afterwards delivery. The trauma leads the women feeling that either her life or the life of her baby is at risk (Postpartum,

42). The stress of caring for a newborn or even the circumstances surrounding labor and delivery may cause the first symptoms of PPD. Initial stressors related to labor, delivery, and bringing the baby home give way to new triggers (Dieta et al., 2007, 1516). Infant temperament can intensify or minimize a new mother’s PPD symptoms depending on the child’s sleep patterns, frequency of crying, being easygoing or demanding, and whether or not baby is socially reinforcing with smiles and coos (Perfetti et al., 2004, p. 57). Increasing guilt, overwhelmed feelings by child care responsibilities, and fear of being unable to cope can cause the mother to show less affection to her baby, and be less responsive to his cries (Kabir, 2006, p. 698). The infants in turn tend to be fussier and distant making less positive facial expressions and vocalizations (Beck C., 2006, p. 42). Hostile effects on the child continue throughout the first year after birth, but PPD places children of all ages at risk for impaired cognitive and emotional development as well as psychopathology (Beck C., 2006, p. 42).

Postpartum major depression is a type of depression that affecting as many as eighty percent of new mothers at some point in their childs first few weeks of infancy. Scientists have categorized their findings on postpartum depression into three basic categories. These include: the conditions surrounding the birth of the child, diagonosis and treatment of the disease, and the the long term affects of postpartum depression on the mother`s child. Postpartum major depression is not to be confused with Postpartum Psychosis, which is a rare condition with some bizarre symptoms including: confusion and disorientation, hallucinations and delusions, paranoia, and attempts to harm oneself or the baby. One mother who

"Why do so many women continue to suffer?" Asked Psychotherapist Karen Kleimen in her recent article on postpartum depression in a well-known medical magazine, Psychology Today. "Why is it that postpartum depression and its related conditions continue to be misunderstood by so many healthcare professionals?" Followed Karen. After being constantly bombarded with terrifying effects and the rising number of cases of postpartum depression, many women are raising similar questions as those of Karen and are demanding satisfactory answers from healthcare providers. As a result, healthcare providers have conducted several research and concluded a number of potential causes for postpartum depression.

This syndrome may represent a variety of normal emotional changes after childbirth and is usually not treated” (Wiessman and Olfson 800). Since Margery Kempe continued to be depressed, have hallucinations, and crying periods throughout the entire book, it could not have been postpartum blues. Postpartum depression is the next severe, “which often resembles other forms of major depression, occurs in 10 to 15% of new mothers. Although most such depressive episodes begin within 2 weeks of delivery, depression can occur at any time during the following several months” (Wiessman and Olfson 800). Margery Kempe had postpartum depression after the birth of her child, however, it was never treated since it was discovered in 1858. Once Margery Kempe had her nervous breakdown of seeing the Devil, she had reached full postpartum psychosis. Additionally, Seward found that repeated pregnancies will bring a repetition of symptoms (521).

Loss of control is broken down into four stages: encountering terror, dying of self, struggling to survive, and regaining control (Beck, 1993). Beck, 2002, has developed two screening tools (Postpartum Depression Screening Scale and Postpartum Depression Inventory System) to evaluate risk factors and symptoms. Encountering terror is an initial response to feeling out of control, described as being trapped with no means of escape (Beck, 1993). Stage II is highlighted by a reported feeling of loss of former self and feeling internally void of caring or emotion, likened to that of a robot (Beck,1993). Struggling to survive is recognized by the inability to carry on activities of daily living, including eating and bathing. This is the stage where many seek assistance and