Capstone presentation on Postpartum Depression. Final paper summary.

1. Postpartum Depression (PPD) Jennifer A. Robertson PSY492 Advanced General Psychology Argosy University, Washington, DC

2. Who is affected? Postpartum Mental Health issues are reported by 80% of new mothers. Baby Blues (50-85%) Postpartum Depression (15%) Postpartum Psychosis (0.1%) Postpartum Stress Disorder (no data due to new diagnosis) (O'hara, & Swain, 1996) (Mental Health America, 2011)

3. Symptoms May include: Baby blues-mood lability, anxiety and irritability. Postpartum Depression-fatigue, tearfulness, feelings of guilt, and sleep disturbances. Postpartum Stress Disorder-Obsessive thoughts about the birth experience, detachment, fear, anxiety and disturbed sleep. Postpartum Psychosis-confusion, rapid mood swings, hallucinations, thoughts or attempts of hurting yourself or the baby. Contributing factors history of depression lack of emotional support family turmoil life stressors anxiety surrounding previous birth drastic hormone fluctuation unprepared (Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, 2011)

4. Others affected Postpartum Mental Health issues have been found to have profound impact on the mental health of new fathers and other children in the household. Children Short stature Delays in language acquisition Bonding Increased crying Behavioral issues. Men Aggressive Anxiety Children Emotional shut-down (Surkin, Kawachi, Ryan, Berkman, Vieira, & Peterson, 2008)

5. Cause for prevalence Root of the issue reverts to a lack of availability to prenatal healthcare including a lack of postpartum mental health education Lack of access to prenatal care (or any health care) Lack of education (on the parents part) Geography Lack of testing hormone levels Ranked 24/39 countries in infant mortality (Warner, n.d) (Web MD, 2008)

6. Current Resources During prenatal care: Pamphlets Videos Hormone for testing Postpartum care: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Short questionnaire If a certain number is scored talk therapy is suggested. (Nofsinger & Fox, 2003)

7. Support after diagnosis Current Talk therapy Antidepressant medication Proposed Hormone Evaluation

8. What’s next? Research prevention and care after diagnosis. Focus on whole family preparedness and care. Research hormone/postpartum mental health connection

9. References Mental Health America: Postpartum Disorders. (2011). Mental Health America. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/postpartum Nofsinger, M. M., & Fox, B. (2003). More Than Baby Blues: Unmasking Postpartum Depression/Post Partum Depression. Library Journal, 128(10), 183. O‘Hara, M., & Swain, A. (1996). Rates and risk of postpartum depression - a meta-analysis. International Review of Psychiatry, 8(1), 37-54. doi: 10.3109/09540269609037816 Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders. (2011). Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health. Retrieved from http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/postpartum-psychiatric-disorders/ Surkin, P., Kawachi, I., Ryan, L. M., Berkman, L. F., Vieira, L. M., & Peterson, K. E. (2008). Maternal Depressive Symptoms, Parenting Self-Efficacy, and Child Growth. American Journal of Public Health, 125(8), 125-132. doi: 10.2105/AJHP Warner, G. (n.d.). The association between maternal depression and prenatal care adequacy. IDEAS: Economics and Finance Research. Retrieved March 07, 2011, from http://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/blkpoe/v30y2003i3p39-53.html