Andrea Yates 'Postpartum Depression' By Andrea Yates

Borra, C., Iacovou, M., & Sevilla, A. (2015). New Evidence on Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: The Importance of Understanding Women 's Intentions. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 19(4), 897-907. doi:10.1007/s10995-014-1591-z

Having a baby should be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life. For some women it can be a really bitter sweet experience. The “baby blues” are common amongst new moms, as many as 80 percent of women experience them (Comer, 2014, pg195). Women can also experience a more serious form of depression after giving birth call postpartum depression. In the readings this week there was a side article about Andrea Yates and how her postpartum psychosis led her to do the unthinkable to her five children. Postpartum psychosis affects about 1 in 2 of every 1,000 mothers to have given birth Comer, 2014, pg373). The reason for postpartum psychosis is triggered by a huge shift in hormone levels that occur after delivery (Comer, 2014, pg373). Having

Unlike "the baby blues" which affects 70% to 80% of new mothers and does not require prompt medical attention due to its mild nature. Major Post Partum Depression attacks 10% of new mothers and is entirely a beast of a different nature, one that must be reckoned with. The most recent Post Partum case that has rightfully caused a media frenzy is the Andrea Yates case. Yates was the mother of five young children. This past summer Yates held each of her children in a bath tub full of water until their death. Yates had PPD.

You can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems, and set realistic goals. When you take antidepressants your doctor may recommend that the only medication you take during this time. Another treatment used for postpartum depression would be Electroconvulsive therapy. According to staff “If your postpartum depression is severe and does not respond to medication, ECT may be recommended. During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of psychosis and depression, especially when other treatments have failed. ”If your postpartum depression is severe and does not respond to medication, ECT may be recommended. During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of psychosis and depression, especially when other treatments have

(4) As the small number of affected cases implies, postpartum psychosis is extremely rare and adverse. Also, it is marked by a group of psychotic symptoms such as intense emotional instability, severe confusion, unfathomable speech, unexplainable behaviors, and a combination of extreme hallucinations and delusions. In spite of postpartum psychosis severity, cases recover from it remarkably due to a number of effective treatments such antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

Postpartum Depression also referred to as “the baby blues” is depression that is suffered by a mother following the birth of her child that typically arises from the combination of hormonal changes and fatigue, as well as the psychological adjustment to becoming a mother. Most mothers will feel depressed or anxious after the birth of their child, however it turns into postpartum depression when is lasts longer than two weeks, and if treatment is not sought after a month, it could continue to worsen severely.

Going through a lot of emotions and normal changes while you are trying to enjoy your time as a new mother and having to take care of your new baby is a lot. That is the reality for a lot of women in this generation who have experienced postpartum depression. This is a problem rooted in the biological and psychological factors. According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum pain after giving birth. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone levels “fluctuate” which causes the development of postpartum depression.

Mothers who have brought into this world a blessing have been preparing themselves for a big change in their life. They have been learning and educating themselves about how to be a good mother. Many mothers find it really hard to transition from being an independent woman without children to becoming a mother (Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh, 2015). Adapting to motherhood can be a drastic change, and usually creates challenges that lead to feeling overwhelmed (Leger & Letourneau, 2015). When a newly mother begins experiencing stress or becomes emotional then there can be a possibility that they can encounter Postpartum Depression (Leger et al., 2015). Postpartum depression can be seen and experienced in many different ways, it all varies on every mother (Corrigan et al., 2015). Many different mental health issues can be seen including baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the most serious, postpartum psychosis (Tam & Leslie, 2001).

Despite the physical changes that a woman is to expect during her pregnancy, a major concern that requires attention is a period of expected feelings of depression that a woman may encounter known as baby blues. Although normal, and expected baby blues can lead into post partum depression that involves a myriad of emotions and mood swings. If not addressed postpartum depression can lead to a more severe form of baby blues known in the clinical world as postpartum non-psychotic depression that requires professional intervention. The therapeutic goal during this time is to prevent the new mother from committing suicide where she poses a danger to both herself and her newborn.

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,

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 20 people suffer from depression (2014). Although widely recognized and somewhat easy to diagnose, depression is an ignored and almost hidden, disease. In women, the statistics are especially grim for those who are pregnant or were recently pregnant. A great number of women suffer from postpartum depression; an illness which is often overlooked, misdiagnosed and untreated. Postpartum depression (PPD) has been defined as an emotional disorder that occurs in an estimated 10-15% of all women after childbirth (Liberto, 2010). Postpartum depression not only impacts the mother, but can cause long-term psychological challenges for the baby and create emotional turmoil for all family members.

70 to 80 percent of women who have given birth experience what is know as “Baby blues,” (Piotrowski & Benson, 2015). These are mild symptoms of depression and usually go away within two weeks after giving birth. However, the symptoms of unspecified depressive disorder with peripartum onset also known as postpartum depression (PPD) can be more intense and last significantly longer than the “baby blues.” According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013), postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or in the 4 weeks following delivery. Postpartum depression has symptoms that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in the new mothers life and can include the inability to take care of the newborn or herself. The

Often the time after birth is a filled with joy and happiness due to the arrival of a new baby. However, for some mothers the birth of a baby leads to some complicated feelings that are unexpected. Up to 85% of postpartum woman experience a mild depression called “baby blues” (Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden, 2012). Though baby blues is hard on these mothers, another form of depression, postpartum depression, can be even more debilitating to postpartum woman. Postpartum depression affects about 15% (Lowdermilk et al., 2012) of postpartum woman. This disorder is not only distressing to the mother but to the whole family unit. This is why it is important for the nurse to not only recognize the signs and symptoms of a mother with postpartum depression, but also hopefully provide preventative care for the benefit of everyone involved.

Postpartum depression is different for many people, it can be minor or it can be severe. In Severe cases woman try to harm themselves or their own children. They can also hallucinate in some cases. As FoxNews states, “This disease known as postpartum depression needs to be taken seriously because it is a real disease.” In the case of Dena Schlosser, Police arrested her in her home after she called the

This is particularly so if she has had a cesarean (C-section) delivery.Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby to take care of and doubting your ability to be a good mother.Feeling Stress from changes in work and home routines. Sometimes women think they have to be “super mom” or perfect, which is not realistic and can add Stress.Having feelings of loss – loss of identity (who you are, or were, before having the baby), loss of control, loss of a slim figure, and feeling less attractive.Having less free time and less control over time. Having to stay home indoors for longer periods of time and having less time to spend with the baby’s father.How is postpartum Depression treated?It is important to know that postpartum Depression (PPD) is treatable and that it will go away. The type of treatment will depend on how severe the PPD is. PPD can be treated with medication (antidepressants) and psychotherapy. Women with PPD are often advised to attend a support group to talk with other women who are going through the same