| Post partum depression is a condition that | | | | This eventually causes the mother to shift |
| manifests itself in women following the birth | | | | her energy to satisfy the demands of pure |
| of a child. The most notable symptoms | | | | survival as an alternative to totally |
| experienced by sufferers of post partum | | | | expending her energy into a new being that |
| depression include sleeping disturbances, | | | | may be considered expendable in that over |
| recurrent sadness, loss of appetite, loss of | | | | stressed mental state. |
| energy, hopelessness, frustration, | | | | |
| exhaustion, guilt, low self esteem, social | | | | The mothers suffering post partum depression |
| withdrawal, and many other negative | | | | demonstrate a higher degree of negative |
| experiences. | | | | emotions and lesser degree of positive |
| | | | emotions toward their children. |
| The key symptom contributing to the | | | | Subconsciously their responses to child's |
| classification of this type of depression is | | | | needs are significantly negative. |
| feeling lack of affection for the new born | | | | |
| baby. Experts contribute a variety of views | | | | Prevention |
| regarding facts that you should know about | | | | |
| post partum depression. | | | | When observed and diagnosed in the early |
| | | | stages, intervention can successfully treat |
| Risk Factors | | | | and eliminate the condition. The prognosis |
| | | | for a complete recovery is good when |
| Although much time and effort has been | | | | professional assistance is sought and put |
| expended trying to unlock the secrets of this | | | | into practice. A key component of the |
| condition, no definitive single factor can be | | | | treatment involves educating the women about |
| identified that in itself leads to post | | | | the causes and effects associated with post |
| partum depression. Several issues have been | | | | partum depression. |
| singled out as important factors that | | | | |
| contribute in part to the condition. These | | | | Support groups can be found in most large |
| include prenatal depression, lack of self | | | | towns and cities where the self-help groups |
| esteem, prenatal anxiety, and chronic | | | | work in unison with the medical community to |
| conflict with a spouse. | | | | provide highly important social support. |
| | | | Women either pregnant or planning to become |
| Other known conditions that may contribute to | | | | pregnant should be screened regularly by |
| the ailment might also include a perceived | | | | their health practitioners so that the early |
| lack of social support, a history of | | | | detection is possible. In Canada, the |
| depression within the family, low social | | | | screening test is conducted by professional |
| status and even the fact that the pregnancy | | | | public health nurses. |
| was not a planned event. As if this list of | | | | |
| potential factors is not long enough, several | | | | Treatment |
| other issues are known factors common to post | | | | |
| partum depression sufferers. Additionally, | | | | In summary, post partum depression is |
| mother's race, social class or sexual | | | | treatable. Medical evaluation of women that |
| orientation have been noted conditions that | | | | are exhibiting some of the signs of the |
| are common to many sufferers. | | | | condition is a necessity. Early detection is |
| | | | key to successful treatment to realise short |
| The Evolutionary Hypothesis | | | | term as well as long term relief from the |
| | | | ailment. On positive diagnosis, it is |
| Evolutionary theorists believe that post | | | | commonly recommended that the suffering woman |
| partum depression is an inherent and natural | | | | undergo cognitive behavioural therapy, |
| response by the human body. They state that | | | | medication, and maintain a healthy diet. |
| it is the natural response of the parents, | | | | |
| either human or non-human, to instinctively | | | | In many areas the health practitioners in |
| decide subconsciously when the potential | | | | co-operation with the mother, can determine a |
| benefits outweigh the liabilities of caring | | | | treatment plan. Although many of the symptoms |
| for the offspring. On that basis negative | | | | are similar among most sufferers, the |
| responses to the birth may subconsciously | | | | treatment plan needs to be specifically |
| exist and as a result natural parental care | | | | individualized for post partum depression. |
| will simply be reduced or totally terminated. | | | | |
| | | | The effects of this condition can promote |
| A practical example of this hypothesis in | | | | highly undesirable subconscious activity. |
| action may support that theory. Consider an | | | | Recognizing the symptoms early and seeking |
| instance where a mother may experience a lack | | | | professional assistance can save more that |
| of social support and is forced to manage the | | | | one life. |
| affects of these stressful events by herself. | | | | |