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Post Partum Depression ( Ppd )

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Post-Partum Depression (PPD) is the last thing on most mother’s minds during pregnancy and labor. However, for a number women after childbirth, the joy that is expected doesn’t arrive. The joy isn’t there when they bring the baby home, and it continues to evade them well into taking care of the baby. So what happens during such an emotional and delicate time in life? This paper will attempt to delve into the intricacies of PPD and its effects on the mother and the family unit. Symptoms, risk factors, historical treatments, current treatments, complications, and preventative techniques will be included. Post-Partum Depression is characterized first and foremost as an irritable, debilitating form of depression manifesting within four weeks to thirty weeks of giving birth (Andrews-Fike, 1999). Every patient present with various types and levels of symptoms. Symptoms can include those similar to other depressive disorders such as insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety. Giallo, 2015 assessed several emotions in their study including fear, blame, and anxiety. Sadness, helplessness, and tiredness were also included. Finally, suicidal thoughts were addressed. All of these are possible symptoms under PPD. Historically, PPD was not considered an actual disorder, and was ignored by many women, doctors, and therapists alike. Later on, when more complaints were brought to doctors’ attention, PPD was classified as a form of neuroticism. These “neurotic” women were treated with electroconvulsive

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